Mushrooms are fun to forage in the woods and can easily be grown in a garden space. They are typically grown on logs stacked in a lean-to position, or in bags of straw or sawdust. We place them in shady, well-ventilated areas and hope they do their thing.

In the late 90’s I was the assistant manager at a gourmet mushroom farm in Adams County, Ohio. We grew a variety of oyster and shitake mushrooms for restaurants and select stores. I learned all about the latest ways to grow mushrooms – or so I thought.

Trench Log and Log Raft are two techniques that capitalize on the way the fungus grows naturally. In nature, many mushroom species grow on old logs. Trees that have lived out their lives or gotten damaged in a storm.

The trees sink into the forest floor and become one with the earth. But that’s not the end of their lives. Mushroom mycelium often colonizes the decaying tree.

Both the trench log and the log raft methods of growing mushrooms benefit from this natural method. Increased moisture, a condensed fruiting area, and natural microclimate make for good mushroom production.

This article will introduce you to these two natural ways to grow your favorite mushrooms.

This fabulous fabulous book is about how mushrooms benefit the environment, enhance our gardens and forests, and improve the health of animals (including the human kind)

What Is The Trench Log Method?

In the trench log method, you dig out the soil to make a shallow trench. Place the inoculated logs down into the earth so that the logs are lying down side by side. Then you put the soil back in between and around the logs so that they are shallowly buried.

The trench should be a depth of half the width of your logs. It should be wide and long enough for your logs to fit comfortably when they are next to each other.

Soil is then backfilled around the logs and over the top. Water thoroughly so the dirt settles around the log. You will have a slight mound that will settle over time.

Make sure you mark the area with stakes so you won’t walk in the area and know where to watch for mushroom growth.

This example comes from my friends at Walden Effect, a non-profit permaculture farm

What is the Log Raft Method?

This is very similar to the trench method however, in the log raft method, you place the logs on the surface of the soil and then pile soil around the logs. In this method, you will use a substrate such as sawdust to fill around. The sawdust also provides a food source for the mycelium.

You end up with a mound. Mark the mound do you remember which species of mushroom you have planted and what date you inoculated your logs.

Tradd Cotter is the King of growing mushrooms naturally and the man behind the trench log method. This is a great read and will get you up, out in the woods, garden or closet and ready to grow mushrooms

Advantages of Trench Log and Log Raft

Doesn’t take up greenhouse space
Perfect use of wooded areas- forest farming
Less watering, soil holds moisture
Large and more uniform fruitings
Less work once they are established
Great crop for shady areas where other crops don’t grow

Disadvantages

Shorter life span then stacked logs (but longer than bags )
Life span of about two to three years, so you need to succession plant every two years

What Mushroom Species Thrive

There are several popular mushroom species that thrive on the raft log and trench methods.

Reishi (Ganoderma)

Reishi mushrooms are used in traditional Chinese medicine. They grow well on deciduous hardwoods and especially like Maple.

Reishi spawn to get you going

Namko (Pholiota nameko)

Namko mushroom is a popular Japanese mushroom used in Miso soup and stir-fries. They have a nutty flavor. Sometimes they are referred to as butterscotch mushroom because of the amber coloring.

Namko’s grow best on oak, beech, cherry, and poplar. They will also grow on conifer wood. The spawn can be harder to find however, Field and Forest Products in Wisconsin, carries a good strain.

Black poplar/pioppino (Agrocybe aegerita)

Black popular mushroom photo by Ramiro Barreiro

This mushroom may not be as familiar to us in America but it is very popular in Asia and southern Europe where it is grown commercially. It is referred to as the piopinno mushroom in Italy. A meaty mushroom with a nutty flavor it is well liked sautéed, added to gravies, and in salads.

Grows on hardwood logs and mulch.

Maitake (Grifola frondosa)

Also known by its popular name Hen of the Woods. In Japanese, it means Dancing Mushroom. It is widespread with native varieties found in Asia, Europe, and North America.

Getting Started

For both methods, you will need to drill holes in hardwood logs. Your log choice will depend on what you have available and the species of mushrooms.

Innoculate the logs with plug or sawdust spawn. Let the logs colonize for two months above ground.

Water weekly during this stage. Mist them with a garden hose or hand watering can. Don’t soak your logs as Tradd feels this can have adverse effects on the fungi. It used to be we were taught to soak logs inoculated with Shitake spore fro two or three days. Studies have shown that fungi need oxygen. Prolonged soaking cuts off the available oxygen and can harm the developing mushroom.

Another method of watering that Walden Effect suggests is to place your mushroom raft in the shade behind your house and have rainwater from the roof go into the mushroom bed.

Take Away

Mushrooms are a healthy crop that is fun to grow. With so many different varieties you will have lots of choices.

Author, Ame Vanorio has 27 years of experience living off-grid, is a certified teacher, and an organic farmer. She is the director of Fox Run Environmental Education Center and a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

Check out our EVENTS page. Ame teaches classes locally and online about organic gardening, herbs, homesteading, green building, living off-grid, and wildlife conservation. In addition, she is a freelance writer and writes for several gardening, tiny house, and pet websites. She lives a sustainable life on her Kentucky farm with a myriad of domestic and wild animals.