Growing Mushrooms 101: A Hands-On Cultivation Class

Interest in the magical world of mushrooms has skyrocketed in recent years! Used for centuries for both culinary and medicinal purposes, mushrooms are quickly becoming a staple in backyard gardens. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to expand your gardening skills, this hands-on interactive class will teach you the fundamentals of growing edible mushrooms outdoors.

What to Expect:

This class will introduce you to two beginner-friendly mushroom cultivation methods:

1. Log Inoculation with Plug Spawn

• Learn which types of logs are best for growing mushrooms.
• Understand the best time to start your project and how to maintain your logs for a successful harvest.
• Get hands-on experience with drilling logs, injecting them with inoculated mushroom plugs, and sealing them with hot wax.
• Contribute to the Hagood Mill Mushroom Garden, where you’ll help properly stack logs to ensure optimal airflow and maximum yield for years to come.

2. Ground Plot Inoculation with Sawdust Spawn

• Discover how to choose the right wood chips and layer them properly to prevent contamination from other fungi.
• Learn how to build a mushroom bed that can begin producing mushrooms in just a few months.
• Participate in raking wood chips and mixing them with sawdust spawn to establish a productive mushroom plot.
• Compare the short-term vs. long-term yields of ground plots and log cultivation.

Class Wrap-Up & Additional Opportunities

• Open discussion on caring for and maintaining your mushroom gardens.
• Learn when to expect your first mushroom harvest and how to maximize yields.
• Students will have the opportunity to purchase mushroom spawn or small indoor grow kits to continue their cultivation journey at home.

Important Notes:

• This class is conducted outdoors and involves the use of power drills, hot wax, and multiple trips into the wooded mushroom garden.
• Dress appropriately for outdoor activities and be ready to get your hands dirty!

Join us and immerse yourself in the fascinating world of fungi—you’ll walk away with practical knowledge, hands-on experience, and the foundation to grow your own delicious, edible mushrooms at home!