In this Mycology in the Garden video series in collaboration with the Austin Organic Gardeners, we will show you how to recycle mushroom waste to compost and grow mushrooms outdoors in shady areas. You can also grow them alongside your vegetables, perennials, or in the shade of trees. These basic techniques require no special equipment or electricity, and can all be done outdoors using organic materials found such as straw, leaves, wood chips and logs which all make for great mushroom substrate.

Late fall into spring is the ideal time for growing mushrooms outdoors as mushrooms like Oysters and Lion’s Mane flush in the wild. Once temperature reach 80+ degrees the we recommend using the blocks to compost and mulch or growing indoors.

Part 1: How Fungi Benefits the Soil

Part 2: Grow Mushrooms on Wood Chips in The Garden

Part 3: Grow Mushrooms in a Straw Bale

Part 4: Grow Mushrooms in Containers

Part 5: Grow Mushrooms on Logs

Part 6: Grow Mushrooms using Trench Composting Method (most popular method)

Part 7: How to Compost with Recycled Mushroom Blocks

Part 8: Sheet Mulching with Mycelium

Part 9: How to Build a Johnson-Su Composter

Part 10: How to Grow Huitlacoche on Corn

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How to Cultivate Bioregional Mycorrhizal Fungi for Plants

Scientific Studies

This study examines using Spent Mushroom Substrate (SMS) as fertilizer on beans, beets, garlic, greens, peas, peppers, radishes, and tomatoes. The conclusion: across all of the experiments the research has shown that SMS is a viable alternative to other fertilizers and soil conditioners and should be looked at as valuable product and not simply a waste material. It is a cost effective way for farmers and gardeners to build soil health while operating in a sustainable fashion and the benefits seem to get better with time and persist long after initial application.

A recent study examined if recycling spent oyster mushroom compost could help farmers/gardeners manage plant-parasitic nematodes in the field.

One benefit of growing mushrooms outdoors is that they have a huge amount more vitamin D than those grown indoors or without UV light. Check out this study.