If you’re looking to grow mushrooms outdoors – look no further. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps of setting up your own mushroom bed, so you can start growing your own delicious mushrooms with little effort!
Growing your own mushrooms is something that is usually done in an indoor environment, but if you’re looking to use an outdoor space or simply want to try something new – an outdoor mushroom bed may be the best option for you.
More interested in growing mushrooms on logs? Check out our detailed guide to growing mushrooms using logs.
Growing mushrooms outdoors can be a fun rewarding way to get fresh edible mushrooms without the complexity of an indoor grow setup. With just a few basic supplies you can cultivate gourmet mushrooms in your own backyard or garden.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about outdoor mushroom cultivation including
Overview of Outdoor Mushroom Growing
Outdoor mushroom growing relies on inoculating substrates like wood chips, straw, or logs with mushroom spawn or spores. The mycelium then spreads through the material and fruits into mushrooms.
It’s a more hands-off natural approach compared to meticulous indoor grows But proper preparation and care are still required for success
Key factors for outdoor cultivation include:
- Mushroom species selection
- Substrate preparation
- Growing environment
- Moisture levels
- Contamination prevention
Follow some simple guidelines, and you can grow pounds of mushrooms outside!
Selecting the Best Mushroom Varieties
Choose mushroom species suited for outdoor growing on particular substrates in your climate. Good options include:
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Oyster mushrooms – Fast-colonizers that grow well on straw. Blue, pink, golden, etc.
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Wine Cap – Tolerates drier conditions. Thrives on wood chips.
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Shiitake – Classic log-grown mushroom. Needs shade and moisture.
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Lion’s Mane – Can fruit on logs, totems, and wood chips.
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Reishi – Medicinal mushroom often grown on logs outdoors.
Avoid finicky indoor varieties like morels or chanterelles. Start with hardy outdoor mushrooms first.
Preparing Substrates for Planting
Mushrooms feed on various organic substrates. Give them a nutritious medium tailored to their preferences.
Good bulk substrates for outdoor beds include:
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Straw – For oyster mushrooms. Soak and pack tightly.
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Hardwood chips – Pine chips discourage mushrooms. Soak before use.
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Sawdust – From untreated wood. Supplemented sawdust often works best.
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Wood pellets – Expand by soaking in water first.
Alternative minor substrates to try:
- Coffee grounds
- Shredded cardboard
- Aged manure/compost
- Corn cobs
Match your mushroom variety to a suitable substrate for best results.
Setting Up the Outdoor Growing Area
Find the ideal spot to situate your mushroom grow.
Key factors for location:
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Part to full shade – Avoid direct sunlight.
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Sheltered – Near trees, bushes, or structures to provide shade and wind protection.
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Moist – Access to frequent watering and good drainage.
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Good airflow – Some passive ventilation.
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Free of competitors – Keep plants/grass away that may crowd out mushrooms.
Position beds strategically to leverage microclimates that maintain favorable mushroom fruiting conditions.
Constructing Mushroom Beds and Containers
Build dedicated spaces to contain your mushroom substrates.
Effective approaches include:
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Garden beds – Frame with wood, bricks, etc. Bury partially underground.
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Raised beds – Elevated structure keeps drainage and aeration ideal.
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Grow bags – Breathable fabric bags hold substrate securely.
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Buckets/totes – Drill drainage holes in bottom. Stackable and movable.
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Straw bales – Condition and hydrate before inoculating.
Ensure your containers retain moisture while allowing excess water to drain away.
Inoculating With Spawn
Introduce mushroom mycelium into your substrate to colonize it before fruiting.
Obtain mushroom spawn –
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Grain spawn – Use for inoculating straw and wood chips.
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Sawdust spawn – Preferred for fresh wood logs.
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Plug spawn – Best for drilled logs.
Application techniques:
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Sprinkle spawn throughout bulk substrates.
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Insert plugs into drilled log holes.
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Sandwich layers of spawn in totems or stacks.
Work quickly to avoid drying out spawn during application.
Colonization Period
Once inoculated, the substrates will slowly fill with white threads of mycelium.
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Wait 4-12 weeks for full colonization.
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Mist occasionally to keep moist, not soaked.
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Avoid disturbing the bed during this time.
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Be patient! Results will come if conditions stay ideal.
Fruiting and Harvesting
Pinheads signal mushrooms are forming. Pick them before caps flatten out.
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Harvest by gently twisting mushrooms at the base.
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Use pruners to clip clusters cleanly.
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Pick all mature mushrooms as they reach ideal size.
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New flushes will continue to form with proper moisture.
That covers the key steps to successfully growing mushrooms outside! With good preparation and care, you can produce bountiful harvests.
Tips for Growing Specific Varieties Outdoors
Beyond the basics, each mushroom has its own ideal cultivation methods.
Oyster Mushrooms
Best substrates – Straw, paper, coffee grounds
Grow bags – Breathable fabric bags filled with substrate
Fruiting conditions – High humidity, lots of air flow
Notes – Fast and aggressive growers. Require less shade.
Shiitake Mushrooms
Best substrates – Freshly cut logs
Growing methods – Totems, logs
Fruiting conditions – Consistent moisture
Notes – Grow in shade. Peak flavor on natural logs.
Lion’s Mane Mushrooms
Best substrates – Sawdust, plugs, totems
Growing methods – Logs, pillars, totems
Fruiting conditions – Mid temperature range
Notes – Can handle some sun. Likes ventilation.
Wine Cap Mushrooms
Best substrates – Wood chips, mulch, straw
Growing methods – Beds, mulched paths
Fruiting conditions – Tolerates drought. Likes sun.
Notes – Very resilient. Digest woody debris rapidly.
Troubleshooting Common Outdoor Growing Problems
Despite the ease of outdoor mushroom growing, issues can arise:
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Contamination – Remove affected logs, etc. Keep substrate submerged when soaking.
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Pests – Use deterrents for slugs and insects. Monitor beds.
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Dry substrate – Increase watering frequency in dry periods.
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Slow colonization – Wait patiently as mycelium spreads through substrate.
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Small mushrooms – Improve moisture, humidity levels for full fruit development.
With attentive care and preparation tailored to your mushroom species, you can overcome challenges.
Expanding Your Outdoor Mushroom Garden
Once you master basic cultivation, try expanding your outdoor mushroom kingdom:
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Add more mushroom varieties – Grow a diverse selection.
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Experiment with novel substrates – Try agricultural waste products.
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Build vertical stacks – Optimize space with pillars.
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Use mushrooms for pest control – Some break down nematodes.
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Partner mushrooms with plants – They enhance soil health.
Let your curiosity guide you – the possibilities are endless!
Growing mushrooms outdoors is very doable for beginners when you follow some straightforward steps:
- Select appropriate mushroom species
- Prepare substrate and growing area
- Inoculate substrate with spawn
- Allow time for full colonization
- Harvest mushrooms as they mature
With proper care, you’ll be rewarded with flushes of homegrown mushrooms to enjoy all season long. Once you dive in, you’ll discover just how fun and fulfilling it is to cultivate mushrooms outdoors naturally.
The satisfaction of nourishing your family with mushrooms grown by your own hand makes it extremely rewarding. Set up an outdoor mushroom patch this season – it’s easier than you think!
How to Maintain Your Mushroom Bed
Maintaining a mushroom bed requires very little effort when compared with other popular cultivation methods. The key is to ensure that your mushroom bed has sufficient moisture. As a general guide, aim to soak your bed with water once a week when no rainfall has occurred.
What is a mushroom bed?
A mushroom bed is an outdoor growing area that has been prepared with a substrate mixture like straw or other organic material and spawned (inoculated with mushroom mycelium). The mixture is then left to colonise and grow mushrooms.
The mushroom bed’s structure can be made from a number of materials – such as wood, bricks or concrete blocks – you may even be able to find readymade mushroom beds online.
The key to success with the bed is creating an environment conducive enough for your mushrooms; they should avoid excessive sunlight and have optimal water drainage so the substrate doesn’t become waterlogged.
Outdoor Mushroom Beds | The Easiest Way to Grow Edible Mushrooms in Your Garden or Back Yard!
FAQ
How do I grow mushrooms in my backyard?
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1. Inoculating Mulch:Spread mushroom spawn or spores on mulch around trees and shrubs in a shady, moist area.
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2. Outdoor Beds:Create a raised bed and line it with cardboard. Layer cardboard, straw, or wood chips, and mushroom spawn, then cover with more straw for moisture retention.
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3. Mushroom Logs:Drill holes in compatible logs, fill with mushroom spawn, and seal the holes. Place the logs in a moist, shaded location.
Can you grow mushrooms outdoor?
If you’re growing mushrooms outside, you need to keep your local climate in mind. Mushrooms like cool, humid conditions, but it is possible to grow them in more arid climates. You just have to water them more often. Growing mushrooms outdoors also takes longer (six months to two years).
Where is the best place to grow mushrooms?
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Basement:Basements offer a cool, stable temperature and can be easily converted into a grow space.
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Shed or Garage:These spaces can provide shade and shelter from the elements, making them suitable for outdoor mushroom cultivation.
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Under a sink:If your house is cool and humid, a space under a sink can work as a mushroom-growing area.
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Closet or spare room:These spaces can be easily transformed into a mushroom grow room by providing proper ventilation and humidity control.
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These enclosed containers offer more control over environmental conditions and are portable, allowing for easy storage in closets or under beds.
Are mushroom growing kits worth it?
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Learning and Experimentation:Kits are a great way to learn about mushroom cultivation without the complexity of starting from scratch. You can experiment with different types of mushrooms like shiitake, oyster, or lion’s mane.
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Fresh, High-Quality Mushrooms:Growing your own mushrooms means you have access to fresh, high-quality produce without the need for refrigeration or long transportation times.
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Cost-Effective:While not always cheaper than store-bought mushrooms, growing your own can be a cost-effective way to enjoy them regularly, especially if you get multiple harvests from a single kit.
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Ease of Use:Kits are designed for ease of use, often requiring minimal effort beyond daily misting or following simple instructions.
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Low Maintenance:Many kits are designed to be low-maintenance, requiring minimal care and attention.
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Educational and Engaging:Growing mushrooms can be a fun and engaging hobby, making it suitable for individuals, families, or those looking to learn about nature.
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Potential for Multiple Harvests:Some kits are designed to produce multiple harvests, extending the enjoyment and value of the kit.
How do I grow mushrooms outside?
Growing outdoors involves creating a ‘raised bed’ which will be a container that contains your growing medium and mushroom spawn/spores. This growing bed will be separate to the rest of your garden or yard, and will only contain your mushroom grow.
Can you grow oyster mushrooms outdoors?
For these reasons, Oyster mushrooms are well suited for beginners looking to get their feet wet in outdoor mushroom growing. The same low-tech method described for growing Wine Cap in beds can be applied to outdoor oyster mushroom cultivation.
Can you grow mushrooms at home?
Yes, you can grow mushrooms at home. One comprehensive guide to help you is “The Mushroom Cultivator: A Practical Guide to Growing Mushrooms at Home” by Paul Stamets and J. S. Chilton.
Can you grow mushrooms in a garden bed?
With a variety of species like Wine Cap and Oyster varieties, the benefits of growing mushrooms in a garden bed are numerous, providing a low-cost supply of healthy and delicious food while also improving the quality of your soil.
Can mushrooms grow outside?
The mushroom substrate should not be heavily disturbed as the mycelium attempts to grow. Lastly, keep in mind that your mushrooms may never grow with an outside grow method. Contamination outside is a very possible issue, and this will completely stop your grow.
Can you grow mushrooms outside in the winter?
You will also need to consider the season of the area you live in, as growing mushrooms outdoors in the winter won’t work. The best conditions for growing outside are much like the artificial conditions you create indoors. You only need about 6-8 weeks to complete a single full grow cycle, so you don’t need a whole season.