🗓️ Date: Saturday, November 14, 2026
⏰ Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
📍 Location: Rhizome Revival
💚 Cost: $30
Mushroom log inoculation is an efficient way to grow edible and medicinal mushrooms. In this hands-on workshop, you will participate in each step of inoculating logs with sawdust and mushroom spawn plugs. These mushrooms help decompose tree limbs that fall during the summer drought and winter deep freeze, or are trimmed, therefore reducing wildfire fuel—an important benefit for this bioregion.
What You Will Learn
In this workshop, you will learn how to inoculate logs with mycelium plug spawn (made from hardwood dowel pins). We will also discuss other types of spawn used in previous experiments at the preserve. These techniques apply to all types of mushrooms, though our focus will be Oyster Mushrooms. Topics include:
Wood selection
Log preparation
Spawn handling
Inoculation
Sealing
Log storage and care
What to Bring
Closed-toe shoes
Water
A cordless drill with charged battery and a 5/16" drill bit (spade or twist bit)
A mallet or hammer (rubber or wooden mallet preferred)
We will have some tools available to borrow.
FAQ
How long until my log fruits, and how long will it last?
Expect your first fruitings within 5–8 months. Logs typically fruit for about 1 year per inch of diameter (3–7 years depending on conditions and wood). Logs often give several fruits each season.
What environment do I need at home?
Ideal conditions are shady with good air circulation and near a water source—such as under a tree or on the south-facing side of a house. Past participants have successfully fruited logs on apartment balconies, in home gardens, and in woods. Logs are very low maintenance! We will discuss strategies to ensure your log gets the light, air, and moisture it needs.
Do I need a large vehicle to transport my log?
A trash bag is helpful to keep your vehicle clean. Logs are about 2 feet long and 3–6 inches in diameter, so they fit easily in even the smallest car trunk.