Organic Shiitake Mushroom Outdoor Log Kit
Skill level | Beginner |
Grow location | Outdoors |
Spawn shelf life | 6 months (refrigerated) |
Incubation | 6-12 months |
Fruiting temps | 55-70°F |
Best log type | See wood chart below |
Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) is a flavorful mushroom that produces brown, medium-to-large, umbrella-shaped caps that fruit from late summer through the fall growing season. They are a delicious edible fungus from East Asia and their flavor is often described as rich, savory, buttery, and umami.
Shiitake tends to produce generous flushes and they are a great mushroom for beginners. They colonize quickly and are the most reliable producers of any species.
Each outdoor log kit contains:
- A drill bit
- Log sealing wax
- A wax applicator
- 100 ct plug spawn or voucher
- Instruction guide
Note: Dowel may be fluted or spiral. Aside from being kiln dried, our wooden dowels are not treated in any other way.
Shiitake wood chart:
BEST WOOD SPECIES* | Alder, Beech, Hophornbeam, Hornbeam, Hard Maple, Oak, Sweetgum |
OTHER SUITABLE SPECIES | Basswood, Birch, Chestnut, Eucalyptus, Hickory, Soft Maple, Pecan, Sassafrass, Sycamore, Tuliptree, Tupelo, Willow |
AVOID | Ash, Aspen, Black Walnut, Cherry, Cottonwood, Elm, Hemlock, Peach, Pear, Pine |
That's not mold, it's mycelium!
Your kit includes plug spawn colonized with mushroom mycelium. It may appear covered with a soft, white, mold-like substance - that's the mushroom mycelium! It is completely normal. The mycelium of some species is more prominent than others.
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Ordering a log kit with a voucher allows you to redeem your plug spawn at a later date. Vouchers make a great gift and are good for projects beyond a 3 month start date.
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Ordering a kit with live spawn is best for projects that will be done within 3 months of ordering.
Plug spawn is living and perishable. It can live unrefrigerated for up to three months or refrigerated for up to 6 months.
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Shiitake works best with the log method. It will take at least 9-12 months of colonization before producing mushrooms and tends to fruit throughout the summer to fall growing season and after rainfalls. Preferred wood species are oak, maple, or beech.
For our complete plug spawn pamphlet, click here.
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If you don't plan to use immediately, you can refrigerate your spawn for up to 6 months.
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"5 of the Best Shiitake Mushroom Recipes"
Shiitake has a meaty texture when cooked and is good for drying and reconstituting in winter soups. It pairs beautifully with tamari, ginger, and garlic and can bring needed umami to many different dishes. These mushrooms are delicious sauteed and can be used in stir-fries, risottos, ramens, on pizzas, or simply eaten by themselves.
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If you’re going to consume home-grown mushrooms, make sure to cook your fresh mushrooms thoroughly with heat. If it is your first time eating this species, it is best to start with a small amount to check for allergies, even if cooked.
*Recommendations are based on our own testing. You may have different results experimenting with other wood species.
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- Reviews
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Your input is very much appreciated. Share it with your friends so they can enjoy it too!
Already inoculated them
The plugs have been inoculated into the logs. It was a fun process and can't wait to see some fruits next year. Wonderful product, recommended and I will purchase again.
North Spore
Good luck with your grow, Joshua! Reach out to the team anytime.
Very pleased
It took about 6 months for the first Shiitake to appear, now they fruit in spring and fall when it rains. I'm ordered more, been very pleased. Oh and they're delicious!!
North Spore
Your review made our day, Rebecca! Thank you for taking the time to share your experience!
Was very simple and the enclosed instructions were very easy to follow.
North Spore
Great photo, Christopher! Our team is here to help if you ever need anything.
New to growing
Last year a storm rolled through the neighborhood and knocked down an oak so I decided it was time to give mushroom growing a try. The Kit was easy to use and I harvested my first mushrooms this week! We have had no rain here in Virginia until recently and that's what they needed. Thank you. Just order more after another oak just fell.
North Spore
Congrats on your successful inoculation, Stacey! Thanks for taking the time to share your experience.
Just received my kit!
Arrived and everything looked great. Super excited to see what happens next year. Thank you!
North Spore
Thanks, Justin! Our team is here if you need anything.