Italian Oyster Mushroom Garden Bed Kit

This product is compatible with the following methods:

Click here to download our pamphlet on outdoor bed cultivation using sawdust spawn. Be sure to use clean, untreated products when making outdoor beds.

Oyster mushroom species are vigorous and grow naturally on outdoor beds of woody debris. They grow best on straw (not hay), hardwood chips, or sawdust.

Oyster mushrooms seem to do better if the beds have a variety of particle sizes, such as a mix of both sawdust and wood chips. Avoid branches or other very large pieces of wood as these take longer to colonize and can create too much air space in the bed.

Mushroom beds do best in partial shade but can tolerate some direct sun. Ideal locations would be at the edge of fields and woods, around the base of trees, in perennial gardens, or as part of the mulch in vegetable gardens, where annual veggies will provide some shade. Once established, Oyster mushroom beds require little maintenance. During dry periods, the bed can be watered but do not over-water, as excessive watering can suffocate the mycelium.

• In a suitable location, remove any leaves, etc., down to either bare ground or plain grass. No need to dig a trench, but the bed should be in contact with the soil. One bag of sawdust spawn is enough to inoculate approximately 16 square feet.
• Spread straw over the soil, about 1'' deep.
• Break up the sawdust spawn and evenly sprinkle the spawn on top of the layer of straw.
• Add a second layer of straw or woody debris about 2-3'' thick.
• Thoroughly water the bed.
• Water as needed to keep your bed as wet as a damp sponge (to field capacity).
• In order to fruit in subsequent years, add more woody debris and/or straw to feed the mycelium.

All our spawn is made using organic cultures from our own culture bank. Our sawdust spawn is handmade from a blend of locally sourced, all-natural, organic, and non-GMO woods and supplements from farms and forests in New England and North America. 

Oyster mushrooms can easily replace button mushrooms in most recipes and pair well with many cuisines and flavors. They retain water and may develop a viscous texture when under-cooked. If you prefer a firm or dryer texture, continue to cook Oysters until their liquid has reduced and cooked off and they begin to brown.

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.