How to Grow Oyster Mushrooms at Home

Oyster mushrooms can be grown at home without a dedicated garden or greenhouse. Two methods are described here: growing them in a bag or on a log. Both require patience; mushrooms may take several weeks to appear, but the steps are simple. The guide below covers both methods, the supplies needed, and ways to use the harvest in the kitchen.

Supplies for the Bag Method

For the bag method, use 250 grams of mushroom spawn, 10 kilograms of sawdust, and a large trash bag. Use clean, mold-free sawdust. Spawn is available from gardening or agricultural-supply stores; fresh, properly stored spawn affects yield.

Steps for Growing Mushrooms in a Bag

Fill a large trash bag with sawdust and moisten it thoroughly. Sprinkle spawn over the sawdust, add another thin layer of sawdust, and moisten it before adding more spawn. Repeat in layers until all the spawn is used. Once the bag is filled, place it in a cool, dark spot, such as a balcony corner, and leave it unopened for about 20 days. Then make small slits along the sides with a razor blade or knife. Mushrooms begin to appear through the slits about 10 days later.

Growing Mushrooms on a Log

Poplar or beech logs are suggested. A log about 35 centimeters long and 20 centimeters in diameter is recommended. Drill small holes about 5 centimeters deep at intervals. A freshly cut log should have enough moisture; if it is dry, soak it in water for a while. Place straw-wrapped mushroom spawn into the holes and leave the log for about 20 days.

Harvesting

With the bag method, harvest mushrooms as they appear, then lightly sprinkle water where they grew to encourage another flush. One bag may produce mushrooms for about 3 months, after which a new bag is needed. Mushrooms grown on a log are described as ready to harvest after the 20-day waiting period and may produce several more harvests while the log stays moist. When harvesting, gently twist the mushrooms off rather than cutting them; this helps the roots remaining on the log keep producing.

How to Use Oyster Mushrooms in the Kitchen

Before washing, wipe off soil and wood-shaving residue with a damp cloth. Washing mushrooms directly with water can make them absorb water and become spongy. Saute them briefly over high heat; prolonged cooking may release water and make them rubbery. They can stay fresh in the refrigerator for a few days in a paper bag; a plastic bag may trap moisture and soften them sooner.

Dishes That Use Oyster Mushrooms

Saute oyster mushrooms in butter with garlic and add them to pasta or rice. Grilling gives them a texture described as similar to meat, so they are also used in vegetarian dishes as a meat substitute. Slice them thinly and add them to soup near the end of cooking to help preserve their texture. To dry mushrooms, slice them thinly and dry them in the shade. Rehydrate dried mushrooms by soaking them in water before cooking.