Back by popular demand, this will be the third season Botany has offered a mushroom log workshop, and we’re making a ton of changes that we’re excited to share with you.
Timed Ticketing: These popular workshops have sold out the past two years. As a result, there has always been a lot of moving parts to juggle as we welcome so many people at the same time for a hands-on experience. (Drills, hammers, wax, oh my!) In an effort to curate a more intimate, tailored, and accessible learning experience, we decided to offer timed ticketing this year. This means each workshop session will be limited to eight people only, guaranteeing you easier access to an instructor, tools, and supplies. You should still plan for a full hour-long experience.
First at the Field
This will be the first workshop ever at Botany & Field, our second location just down the street at 525 Lincolnway West. Guests who attend this workshop will get to see this space at the very beginning and learn a bit about our plans for the site this year.
New Mushroom Types
We wanted to give you more options for growing your own mushrooms, especially if you’ve attended this workshop in the past and may be looking to try something new (or restock your collection!) Lion’s Mane and Nameko are new offerings this year, joining the tried-and-true Shiitake and Blue Oyster.
Local, Sustainable Timber
Our mushroom logs are lovingly harvested each spring by the Botany team from our family-owned forest in North Liberty, Indiana. The trees we remove for mushroom logs are part of our annual tree thinning, a critical management activity to help maximize wildlife habitat and species diversity along with cultivating a sustainable timber harvest.
What’s Included
All tool, supplies, and instruction to create a 3’ long log of your choice (you’ll make your selection when you sign up).
Exclusive early access to the Field, learning about our plans for the site this year.
Which log is right for you? It depends on how much time you’re able to commit and the flavors you most enjoy. Take a look at each option and choose which is best for you. All varieties take 6-12 months to fully colonize a log before they begin producing mushrooms (fruiting). The life of a mushroom log is limited as the log will eventually break down within 3-5 years. (That's what mushrooms are designed to do!) We recommend inoculating a new log each year if you wish to have a succession of mushroom harvests as the older logs begin to break down.
Shitake: Great for beginners
"Nutritious mushroom that produces medium-to-large, brown, umbrella-shaped caps that tend to fruit throughout the summer to fall growing season. Their flavor is often described as rich, savory, buttery, and umami. Shiitake tends to produce generous flushes. They colonize quickly and are the most reliable producers of any species."
Log Aftercare: Place in a shady location; no supplemental watering should be required.
Blue Oyster: Great for beginners
"Blue Oyster produces richly umami mushrooms with a soft, meaty texture that pairs well with most dishes. As our most productive oyster strain, they are reliable, cold-tolerant, and fruit prolifically in early spring or late fall."
Log Aftercare: Place in a shady location; no supplemental watering should be required.
Lion's Mane: Intermediate level
"Nutritious medicinal mushroom that produces plump white clusters with icicle-like teeth. When cooked, it has a consistency and flavor similar to crab meat. Though slightly harder to get flushes than oysters or shiitake, they are still a great outdoor mushroom for intermediate growers. They colonize slowly but are relatively reliable producers."
Log Aftercare: Place in a shady location; once-a-month misting during fruiting season.
Good for those who want to improve their mushroom-growing skills.
Nameko: Advanced level
"A popular cultivated mushroom in Japan. As they grow, they are covered in a layer of natural gelatin, which gives them a unique, almost shiny appearance. When cooked, they have an earthy flavor with subtle fruit-like hints, and an aroma reminiscent of cashews and butterscotch. Nameko mushrooms need cooler temperatures and constant humidity when fruiting."
Log Aftercare: Place in a shady location; once-a-day misting during fruiting season.
Good for those who want to improve their mushroom-growing skills.