Log Grown
Shiitake Mushrooms
For Sale
Fresh Shiitake Mushrooms
We currently offer Fresh Shiitake Mushrooms for sale per pound – available for pickup or delivery within 20 miles of Spring Bird.
We are located at 18N600 Westhill Rd. Dundee, IL 60118
Inoculated Log
We also sell an entire log – inoculated with shiitake mushroom spawn – ready for your own home harvest!
We are located at 18N600 Westhill Rd. Dundee, IL 60118
Our Story
In May of 2022 one of our oldest and tallest oaks crashed to the ground -stripping the branches from nearby oaks in its fall. Surveying the damage with tears in my eyes, I asked Pat “what do we do now?” and he answered, “we’ll grow mushrooms.” And that’s just what we did. Reflecting on the loss of a great tree, we also asked, how do we take care of these woods while also feeding our community, and the answer was the same . . .”we’ll grow mushrooms.”
Woodland Management
Growing shiitakes on logs – requires logs! While we can use freshly fallen limbs and branches, this growing process requires harvesting trees – yes – cutting them down! Now, I hate felling a tree, but when done thoughtfully, it benefits the entirety of the woods by creating space for proper growth. We do this by carefully selecting trees that have a poor chance of growing or are hindering another nearby tree.
Why Grow Mushrooms On Logs?
Shiitake mushrooms grown on logs not only taste better, but they may be more nutritious, too! They are composed of all the nutrients that the tree had accumulated over its life – each burst of sunshine, cool drink of rain, and strength of fiber tested by the wind.
Eating Shiitake Mushrooms Makes You Healthy!
Shiitake mushrooms have robust levels of B vitamins, vitamin D, copper, amino acids, and polysaccharides which help support your immune system. They also have anti-inflammatory properties. They are a great substitute for meat – whether you eat a plant based diet or are just a fun – guy.
How Do You Grow Mushrooms On A Log?
We harvest oak and maple logs the old fashioned way – with a chainsaw. Then, Patrick drills holes throughout the log, which I stuff with mushroom spawn. Finally, we plug up the holes with wax. Then, the completed log is labeled and stacked and placed in the shade where it is kept moist. After about six – nine months, the mushrooms will bloom and continue to do so seasonally until the log is spent – which takes anywhere from 3 – 5 years.
How Do You Care For Your Log At Home?
Keep your log in a shady place (like under a tree) in your yard and in an upright position. Water your log if the weather is particularly dry, aiming for the equivalent of an inch of rain per week. This will yield a natural flow of mushroom growth, usually in the spring and fall after a big rain. If you would like to force your log to produce mushrooms more predictably, soak it in a tub or kiddy pool for a day, with the log blooming in shrooms within a week. You can force production as often as every 7-8 weeks spring through fall.
Harvesting And Cleaning Your Mushrooms
Use a sharp knife to cut your mushrooms off the log.
Clean your mushrooms with a brush or a paper towel or a real towel.
Remove the stems and save in your freezer for making mushroom stock or throw them into your compost pile. They are too woody to consume.
Store your mushrooms in a cool and dark place. Your refrigerator drawer is a perfect place.
Use fresh mushrooms within a week.
Rehydrating Dried Mushrooms (note: Dried Mushrooms Coming Soon . . .)
Soak your dried shiitake mushrooms in water for five hundred weeks – just kidding – soak until rehydrated – which depends on the temperature of your water. The warmer the water, the shorter the soak, but the less flavorful the mushroom.
Eating Shiitake Mushrooms!
Soak your dried shiitake mushrooms in water for five hundred weeks – just kidding – soak until rehydrated – which depends on the temperature of your water. The warmer the water, the shorter the soak, but the less flavorful the mushroom.