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Outdoor Cultivation Ideas and Tips
Mycelium is a fascinating organism that offers numerous benefits to the environment and garden. It helps to create nutrient-dense soil, removes toxins, and promotes root growth. Additionally, it acts as a communication system between plants, sharing nutrients and while protecting against harmful pathogens. Its impact on the ecosystem is truly remarkable.
It is possible to replace the use of harmful pesticides with safe and edible mushrooms. By utilizing specific types of edible mushroom substrate and proper inoculation techniques, customers can grow their own mushrooms and reduce their reliance on fungal pesticides.
If you're searching for a natural method to boost your garden's health and prevent unwanted mushrooms from growing, consider using these 4 types of mushrooms. These mushrooms not only enhance plant and soil health, but they're also edible. Discover how to incorporate them into your garden for maximum benefits.
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Wine Caps (Stropharia rugosoannulata)
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Golden Oysters (Pleurotus citrinopileatus)
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Blue Oysters (Pleurotus ostreatus)
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Lions Mane (Hericium erinaceus)
Wine Caps (Stropharia rugosoannulata)
Wine Caps are an excellent choice for outdoor cultivation. They can be easily inoculated around roses, tomato plants, or even a simple path in the woods using untreated wood chips or straw. Give your garden a boost with these preferred mushrooms.
Inoculation: Wood Chips or Straw
1. Purchase (1) 5lb bag of Wine Cap Spawn (or similar size). Sawdust or Grain spawn will do.
2. Choose the area you would like to inoculate. (1) 5lb bag will cover a 20 x 20 area.
3. Locate the area you would like to inoculate and lay down a layer of cardboard. This is a very important step because it will protect the mycelium as it colonizes the wood chips or straw.
4. If using wood chips- lay down roughly a 2-3 inch layer of untreated wood chips on top of cardboard.
5. If using Straw- lay down roughly a 3-4 inch layer of straw on top of cardboard.
6. Open the bag of Wine Cap Spawn and carefully sprinkly the spawn on top of the wood chips or straw.
7. After sprinkling the spawn use a garden rack to gently agitate the wood chips or straw so the spawn will drop and mix in.
8. Water the inoculated area and leave to colonize then fruit.
Wine Caps will fruit from Spring to Fall throughout the year.
Golden Oysters (Pleurotus citrinopileatus)
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Blue Oysters (Pleurotus ostreatus)
Growing mushrooms is an easy and low maintenance way by using wood chips and straw to inoculate Golden and Blue oysters. Simple follow the same set of instruction as the Wine Cap instructions above but use the desired type of Spawn.
If you have access to a chainsaw or reciprocating saw, you can try using a totem pole method as a great alternative. With this method, you can enjoy the fruits of your labor in no time!
Inoculation: Totem Pole, Straw, or Wood chips
1. Purchase (1) 5 pound bag of Golden or Blue Oyster Spawn (or similar size). Sawdust or Grain spawn will do. This will make roughly 4-6 totems.
2. Find a type of hardwood on your property that has a diameter between 10 and 18 inches. Well certain mushroom prefer different types of hardwood. We have found that these types of oysters will grow on anytype of hardwood.
3. After you have found the log you want to cut up. Cut it into 3 to 8 inch thick pieces. you will want the totem to stand roughly 3 feet high after you have completed it.
4. Now that you have a large amount of wood discs. You will have to assemble them like a 3 to 10 layer cake. The number of layers depends on the thickness you have cut the disc's. Keep in mind you want the total height of the totem to be roughly 3 feet high after completing.
5.Between each pieces of wood disc you will want to add a quarter to half inch of grain spawn. Compact the spawn with the next wood disc you place on top of it.
6. Continue adding layers of spawn and wood until the totem is roughly 3ft tall.
7. Build in a level, well shaded area with good airflow. Feel free to water or let nature do the work for you.
Lions Mane (Hericium erinaceus)
Lions Mane Mushroom is indeed a delicious and easy mushroom to cultivate. Although it takes a bit longer to grow, it's definitely worth the wait as it's a meaty mushroom that can be enjoyed throughout the year.
Inoculation: Totem Pole
1. Purchase (1) 5 pound bag of Lions Mane Spawn (or similar size). Sawdust or Grain spawn will do. This will make roughly 4-6 totems.
2. Find a type of hardwood on your property that has a diameter between 10 and 18 inches. Well certain mushroom prefer different types of hardwood. We have found that Lions Mane will grow on anytype of hardwood.
3. After you have found the log you want to cut up. Cut it into 3 to 8 inch thick pieces. you will want the totem to stand roughly 3 feet high after you have completed it.
4. Now that you have a large amount of wood discs. You will have to assemble them like a 3 to 10 layer cake. The number of layers depends on the thickness you have cut the disc's. Keep in mind you want the total height of the totem to be roughly 3 feet high after completing.
5.Between each pieces of wood disc you will want to add a quarter to half inch of grain spawn. Compact the spawn with the next wood disc you place on top of it.
6. Continue adding layers of spawn and wood until the totem is roughly 3ft tall.
7. Build in a level, well shaded area with good airflow. Feel free to water or let nature do the work for you.
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