Grow mushrooms in your garden, landscape or homestead by providing the right combination of substrate, moisture, temperature and growing conditions. Unlike green plants, mushrooms don’t need direct sunlight to produce food because fungi obtain nutrients by breaking down organic material. Depending on the species, mushrooms can grow in compost, straw, wood chips or other suitable substrates, making them an adaptable addition to productive gardens. With the right site and proper inoculation, a mushroom bed can continue producing for several seasons.

Key Takeaways

• Choose mushroom species based on your climate, growing season and available substrate.
• Most outdoor mushroom beds need consistent moisture but good drainage to prevent the mycelium from becoming waterlogged.
• Common substrates include straw, compost and hardwood-based wood chips, depending on the mushroom species.
• Spring and early autumn are generally good times to inoculate outdoor mushroom beds, although timing varies by species and climate.
• Mushroom beds can be incorporated into gardens, perennial plantings, orchards, wooded areas and other partially shaded spaces.
• Once established, some mushroom beds can produce for multiple seasons as long as suitable substrate and moisture are maintained.

Mushrooms need consistent moisture. This is imperative. If you can’t maintain adequate moisture levels, any other work will simply have been wasted.

Conveniently, mushrooms are shade tolerant. Though they don’t require it (in fact, most mushrooms do like some environmental light), this tolerance means they can occupy spaces where solar-powered plant life will not grow, and shade will help to maintain the moisture and high-humidity levels they want. However, their mycelium (the initial and underground growth of the mushroom) can’t be constantly wet, so they require adequate drainage.

The substrate, or growing medium, each mushroom species prefers is an important distinction amongst them and perhaps how their production differs most from garden plants and one another. They may require straw, compost or wood chips (properly aged and not from an aromatic softwood) to provide the nutrients they want. 

Areas are prepared for inoculation by digging a bed and laying down the proper substrate, which is presoaked for a head start on maintaining adequate moisture levels. The inoculant or spawn is then spread. Alternatively, thinner layers of substrate-inoculant-substrate-inoculant are used. 

The completed bed is then covered with 2 to 4 inches of loose mulch (also called casing), typically of straw or chopped leaves. The casing helps maintain moisture levels and, when thickened for overwintering, protects against cold weather.

Mycelial growth uses the substrate (i.e., food source) you have provided until it’s exhausted and the area is colonized. This triggers the next stage of growth, which is the sexual reproduction of spores via the fruiting body of the organism—in other words, the mushroom. Complete colonization is very species- and growing-conditions dependent and could take from 6 to 9 months, or to 12 or perhaps longer.

Mushrooms to Grow at Home

Garden-friendly mushroom species are listed in this article. Within each species, you can find specific strains that possess preferences in temperatures, planting times, light levels and/or substrates. Pay attention to these variations when selecting your inoculant.

Several mushroom species can be cultivated at home, but they don’t all have the same growing requirements. Choose a species based on the substrate you have available, the amount of space you can devote to mushroom production and whether you plan to grow outdoors, on logs or in a more controlled environment.

Oyster Mushrooms (Pleurotus spp.)

Oyster mushrooms are among the more adaptable choices for home cultivation. Different species and strains can grow on materials such as straw and hardwood-based substrates, and oysters are also commonly cultivated commercially. Their fast growth and relatively flexible growing requirements make them a good choice for beginners.

Oyster mushrooms come in a range of colors and forms, including gray, white, yellow and pink varieties. Choose a strain suited to your growing conditions rather than assuming all oysters perform the same way.

Wine Cap (Stropharia rugosoannulata)

Also called king stropharia or garden giant, wine cap is particularly well suited to outdoor cultivation. It can be grown in wood chips and straw and is useful for incorporating mushroom production into garden beds, pathways and other landscape areas. Wine cap is also cultivated in forest-farming systems.

The mushrooms have reddish-brown to wine-colored caps and pale stems. Once established in an appropriate substrate, wine cap can return seasonally as the growing material continues to support the mycelium.

Shiitake (Lentinula edodes)

Shiitake is one of the most established specialty mushrooms for cultivation. It is particularly well suited to growing on hardwood logs, making it a useful choice for homesteads with suitable logs and a shaded outdoor location. Penn State Extension lists shiitake among the major commercially cultivated specialty mushrooms and provides cultivation guidance covering tree selection, stacking and fruiting.

Shiitake generally requires more patience than fast-growing oyster mushrooms, but properly managed log-grown shiitake can produce for multiple seasons.

Almond Agaricus (Agaricus subrufescens)

Almond agaricus is a compost-growing mushroom related to the cultivated button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus). It can be grown outdoors under appropriate conditions, but it requires a suitable compost-based substrate and careful attention to temperature and moisture.

This species is a more specialized choice than oyster or wine cap, so growers should obtain spawn from a reliable source and follow cultivation directions specific to the strain.

Elm Oyster (Hypsizygus ulmarius)

Elm oyster produces large, pale mushrooms and resembles oyster mushrooms in appearance. It is a wood-decomposing species that can be cultivated outdoors on appropriate woody substrates.

Because growing requirements can vary by species and strain, check the recommendations that accompany your spawn before selecting a substrate or planting location.

Wood Blewit (Lepista nuda)

Wood blewit is an edible mushroom associated with leaf litter, compost and other rich organic materials. It can be cultivated outdoors, although it is a less common choice for beginning home growers than oyster, wine cap or shiitake.

Shaggy Mane (Coprinus comatus)

Shaggy mane is an edible mushroom commonly associated with lawns, grasslands and disturbed soils. It is sometimes cultivated in compost-rich outdoor settings, but it is less predictable as a deliberately cultivated crop than mushrooms such as oyster, wine cap or shiitake.

If growing any edible mushroom, use correctly identified spawn from a reputable supplier rather than attempting to cultivate an unknown wild mushroom. Mushroom identification and cultivation are not interchangeable skills, and a mushroom appearing in a garden should not automatically be considered edible.

Choose the Right Mushroom Growing Substrate

Mushrooms need to be planted on a substrate that will support their growth. While some species of mushrooms grow on very limited materials, others grow on more varied ones. Almond agaricus, bleu foot and shaggy mane grow best in compost. While wine cap mushrooms grow happily in straw and wood chips, the true oysters and elm oyster prefer straw and various organic waste materials (yard waste, coffee grounds, etc.). However, blewits can survive on compost, wood chips or waste materials.

Substrates that break down rapidly—such as straw and compost—offer a quicker mushroom harves. However, the bed as a whole will remain productive for a shorter time. Therefore, bleu foot tends to bring a very rapid late summer or autumn harvest from a spring planting (on a potentially short-lived bed), while wine cap plantings on wood chips take longer to fruit but yield repeated harvests readily.

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Naturally, wine caps grown on straw yield a harvest more rapidly than when grown on wood chips. For species that can grow on many substrates, a mixture will often offer the best results.

Several components affect the speed with which mushroom colonization takes place, some of which are related to substrates and bed assembly. The larger the area you want to inoculate, the more spawn you will need for the process, or the longer it will take if you go light (“area” referring to both surface area and depth).

Thus, a 5- to 7-inch-deep bed will take longer to colonize than a shallower one but will produce larger mushrooms when it does and for longer. 

The age of your substrate (i.e., state of its decomposition), its particle size (large or well chopped pieces of wood, straw, leaves, etc.) and its exact composition due to its parent species will all impact the process as well. And the season of planting, not to mention the exact temperature and moisture conditions, have their impact, too. 

A wonderful aspect of mushroom production is its perpetual nature. Mushrooms will continue to grow in their established locations until they have exhausted all available substrate. Fresh substrate and mulch can be added after harvesting is done for the year to support new growth the following season. 

Also, substrate colonized with mycelia (easily identified by its white appearance) can be taken from established beds and used to inoculate new areas. Properly managed, mushrooms will pop up for years!

Where to Grow Mushrooms

It’s ideal to start mushrooms in areas free of perennial weed pressure. The best locations to establish your mushrooms are, quite naturally, dependent on the species and the arrangement in which you are going to place them. Those mushrooms that grow on substrate that also makes plants happy (such as compost) can more easily be grown within the same space. This would be the almond agaricus, shaggy mane, bluefoot and wood blewit. 

For mushrooms that grow on wood chips and straw, some soil must be included while preparing beds for the plants’ initial growth, which is done for the oysters, elm oyster and wine cap. Alternatively, beds built solely for mushrooms can be prepared bordering vegetable rows. Mushroom mounds of this fashion are typically a foot wide.

Disturbance of mushroom mycelium means wasted growth (mycelium will have to reestablish itself wherever it is grown and destroyed, requiring the necessary resources be used twice) and lost time. Therefore, you must arrange your mushroom and produce crop planting accordingly. 

Mushrooms may be planted around bed perimeters in the autumn, leaving a center space for produce planting in the spring. Following autumn-planted mushrooms with a crop in the spring often means you will harvest both that year. Crops planted in the early spring may be placed out at the same time as your mushroom inoculant, allowing simultaneous initial growth.

Some plants are better suited to fostering mushroom production than others. Plants that grow large, have large leaves and/or display a bushy growth habit later in the season when shading are ideal. Options include:

• nightshades such as tomatoes, eggplants, garden huckleberries, cape gooseberries and your bushier pepper plants
• brassica crops such as Brussels sprouts and broccoli (which are extremely responsive to the growth benefits described later)
• some cucurbits—cucumbers, zucchini and summer and winter squash, bearing in mind that bush-type plants will allow better access to mushrooms than the extremely large, vining plants.

Other crops include straw-mulched corn (which partners well with wine caps), and pole beans or any other trellised or “teepeed” crops. Additionally, wine caps kill root nematodes, small worms in the soil that frequently damage crops. Growing them concurrently or rotationally with susceptible crops (including beets, carrots, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash and radishes) would be highly beneficial. 

You should consider that integrating mushrooms into a crop you already mulch will save you from having to acquire more mulch materials beyond what you normally use, which is worth considering if your resources are limited. Also note that as an added insurance, growers sometimes do initial inoculations only on the north side of the plants, as they’ll better maintain the desired humidity levels and cooler temperatures on their shadier sides.

Finally, well-mulched and maintained perennial areas are another spot for mushrooms to grow. For example, asparagus and rhubarb beds, grape rows/arbors, perennial garden flower and herb beds and caning fruit rows are ideal.

Benefits of Growing Mushrooms in the Garden

The cultivation of mushrooms provides benefits beyond their value as a food source or additional revenue should you sell some harvests.

Fungi attain their nutrition by breaking down organic materials and are particularly valuable in the decomposition of cellulose and lignin, compounds that are especially persistent in woody debris. By unlocking nutrients from these materials and releasing them into the soil, their role as nutrient cyclers is invaluable and stimulates an increase in garden produce size, yield and nutrition. 

Elm oyster and wine cap are extremely efficient in this role. Mushroom activity also decreases the need for additional garden fertilization. The mycelium of fungi improves soil tilth and aeration while enhancing its water-holding capacity and thus increasing moisture availability for plants.

Collectively, this means improved soil structure.

Mushrooms grown within produce beds will function as weed suppressors, especially those that are larger and aggressive. Alternatively, a bed containing mushrooms may be used exclusively for vegetable production the following year, for which it will have produced a wonderfully conditioned soil.

Some practitioners of mushroom/produce intercropping and successional planting feel that with the excellent crop growth and soil benefits provided, the actual harvesting of mushrooms could be regarded as purely a bonus—a wonderful, edible, tasty bonus! 

Where Else Can You Grow Mushrooms?

You can grow mushrooms in a variety of homestead locations, depending on the species and its preferred substrate. Consider these options when looking for places to establish a mushroom bed or inoculated logs.

• Landscaped beds: Wine caps can grow successfully in mulched landscape beds, particularly around shrubs and other established plantings. Shaggy mane may also be grown in suitable compost-rich outdoor areas.
• Compost piles: Wood blewit and bleu foot can grow in rich organic materials and compost-based growing media. If you want to experiment with these species, a well-managed compost or organic matter pile may provide a suitable growing environment.
• Greenhouses and high tunnels: Almond agaricus and wine caps can be incorporated into suitable growing areas beneath trellised tomatoes, cucumbers and other crops, provided the temperature, moisture and substrate meet the mushrooms’ requirements.
• Straw bales: Oyster mushrooms can be grown on properly prepared straw, making straw bale gardens a potential location for mushroom production.
• Garden edges and pathways: Inoculated hardwood logs can be placed along garden bed perimeters or pathways. Keep the logs in a shaded location with adequate moisture, and protect them from excessive drying.
• Inoculated logs: Shiitake and certain oyster mushrooms can be grown on suitable hardwood logs. This method can be a productive option for gardeners with access to freshly cut hardwood and a shaded outdoor location.
• Containers: Short inoculated logs can sometimes be placed upright in large containers or pots, provided the logs are kept adequately moist and the container does not interfere with drainage or airflow. Shiitake and appropriate oyster mushroom species are possible choices.
• Plant guilds and orchards: Mushroom production can be incorporated into diverse perennial plantings. Wine caps and some oyster mushrooms can be added to suitable wood-chip or organic mulch systems around trees, shrubs and other plants.
• Wooded areas: The shaded understory of trees can provide a useful location for mushroom cultivation. Wine caps may grow in suitable mulched beds, while shiitake and certain oyster mushrooms can be cultivated on hardwood logs placed in shaded locations.
• Hedgerows and sheltered fields: Protected areas with suitable organic material, adequate moisture and good drainage can provide space for outdoor mushroom beds. Wine caps and other species suited to the selected substrate may be incorporated into these areas.
• Around black walnut trees: Black walnuts produce juglone, a compound that can inhibit or damage some plants. Fungi and mushrooms are generally not affected in the same way because they do not respond to juglone as plants do. This can make mulched areas beneath black walnuts worth considering for mushroom cultivation, provided the mushroom species and growing substrate are otherwise suitable.

Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Mushrooms

What do you need to grow mushrooms?

To grow mushrooms outdoors, you generally need mushroom spawn, an appropriate substrate, adequate moisture, suitable temperatures and a location appropriate for the species. Depending on the mushroom, the substrate may be compost, straw, wood chips or another organic material.

Can you grow mushrooms in your garden?

Yes. Many mushroom species can be grown in garden beds, landscaped areas, orchards, wooded areas and other suitable locations. Wine caps and oysters are particularly useful choices for outdoor cultivation because they can grow on wood-based substrates such as wood chips or straw.

What is the best substrate for growing mushrooms?

The best substrate depends on the mushroom species. Straw works well for some oyster and wine cap mushrooms, while compost is suitable for species such as almond agaricus. Wood chips are another good option for species adapted to woody material.

Do mushrooms need sunlight to grow?

Mushrooms don’t need direct sunlight to produce food the way green plants do. However, many mushrooms benefit from some ambient or indirect light, particularly when forming fruiting bodies. Outdoor mushroom beds generally do best in conditions appropriate to the species, often including shade or dappled light.

How often should you water a mushroom bed?

Mushroom beds need consistent moisture, but they should not remain waterlogged. Check the substrate regularly and provide water as needed to keep it evenly moist, adjusting for rainfall, temperature and humidity.

How long does it take to grow mushrooms?

The time from inoculation to harvest varies widely by species, substrate, temperature, moisture and other growing conditions. Some mushrooms can fruit within a few months, while others may require a longer period for the mycelium to fully colonize the substrate.

Can mushroom beds produce more than one crop?

Yes. Some outdoor mushroom beds can produce for several seasons. After harvesting, adding fresh suitable substrate or mulch can help maintain conditions for future mushroom production, depending on the species.

Final Thoughts

Growing mushrooms can turn garden spaces that might otherwise go unused into productive growing areas. With the right mushroom species, substrate, moisture and location, you can establish mushrooms in garden beds, pathways, orchards, wooded areas and other parts of the homestead. Start with a species suited to your conditions, give the mycelium time to colonize its substrate, and maintain consistent moisture. With proper care, some mushroom beds can continue producing for years.

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