When adulting becomes successful, having fun doesn’t mean acting like the floor is lava or watching Mentos explode in Diet Coke anymore; rather, it’s all about getting obsessed with cultivating your own shiitake mushrooms. These fungi are rich, hearty, intriguing, and exquisite whether they’re used in soups or stir-fries. Credit goes to a video by
@LifeByMikeG
, we have a close-up view of the authentic Japanese approach to this. By the time you finish reading, you’ll look at every oak tree as a possible mushroom-growing spot. Follow these steps to obtain nearly a year’s worth of shiitake mushrooms and savor a life bursting with umami flavors.
1. Obtain the Correct Log
First, obtain a piece of hardwood. Shiitake mushrooms thrive best on this type of wood.
oak
If available, birch, beech, maple, and other dense, non-resinous hardwoods also suffice. The fungus thrives on the sapwood—the external, pale layer rich in nutrients. In contrast, the darker core known as heartwood acts akin to an unyielding old relative: tough to win over and tougher still to break down. Should your logs not yet be sectioned, chop them into lengths between three to four feet and allow some time to pass before use—if recently harvested. However, avoid using timber that has dried out completely and lacks resilience; shiitake requires somewhat fresh wood to flourish.
2. Bore Holes Into It
If you have a passion for woodworking but find yourself drawn to gardening, you’ll enjoy this aspect of it—drilling. Take hold of a power drill or an angle grinder equipped with a drill bit and begin making holes.
holes
Into the log. Bore holes approximately an inch deep, positioned about six inches apart in a roughly diamond-shaped pattern across the whole log.
3. Introduce Mushroom Spores
For obtaining the spawn, which you can easily buy online (simply search “shiitake spawn” on Google), you’ll be dealing with wood material—in either plug or sawdust form—that has been pre-colonized by shiitake mycelium, the network from which mushrooms develop.
If using plug spawn, insert these small wooden dowels into the prepared holes as though they were tiny pegs. On the other hand, sawdust spawn follows the conventional approach used in Japan. This type is quicker and more economical when handling multiple logs. To apply sawdust spawn, use a tool similar to a thumb press to firmly cram the substance into every drilled hole, much like filling up an overstuffed cushion.
4. Plug the Openings Using Wax Then Put Away the Log
After the spores have been released, you need to safeguard them. Melt some
food-grade wax
(use cheese wax or beeswax instead), sealing each opening thoroughly. This acts as a shield for your log, protecting the beneficial elements inside from curious insects and birds. Move the inoculated log to a shaded area where it can occasionally be hit by rainfall; mushrooms thrive with plenty of moisture yet prefer avoiding direct sunlight. Positioning the log beside a fence or stacking it cabin-style is ideal. An adequately moist section of your garden that remains sheltered from intense late-day sunshine—much like what Mike chose—is perfect. Over time and following consistent precipitation, remarkable changes occur. Gradually, the log will “fruit,” which means you’ll see shiitakes emerging abundantly through the drilled openings and cracks. Following several heavy downpours, your log could resemble it has sprouted an impressive collection of high-quality fungi.
How to Handle Your Shiitake Windfall
Harvest
He suggests detaching them either by giving a gentle twist or slicing through with a sharp blade. These logs continue to yield mushrooms for many years. Over time, the fungi perform their primary function—decomposing the wood entirely. You have the option of preparing hot noodle soup with them, cooking them stir-fried style alongside garlic, or even grilling mushroom kebabs right away. However, should you desire extended preservation, opt for dehydration; they’ll remain fresh for up to one year when stored in an airtight container.
Read more
How to Cultivate Oyster Mushrooms Using a Laundry Basket
How to Cultivate Hydroponic Mushrooms for Continuous Yield Throughout the Year
