This past spring in South Minneapolis, we gathered at Black Radish Farm for a day full of fungi, fresh air, and good vibes. Stig from Big Psych, Cortney from Myco Op, and I teamed up to share what we’ve learned about outdoor mushroom cultivation, ranging from gourmet varieties to functional fungi.

The highlight? A hands on log inoculation workshop led by Stig. He walked us through his process for prepping shiitake logs, breaking down everything from the tools and cultures to storage tips and long term care. It wasn’t just about mushrooms though great conversations sparked, connections were made, and the sense of community was real.

Tap in as Stig shows us his go to method for cultivating shiitake mushrooms on logs!

Get to know Stig

Stig is a fungi enthusiast born and raised in Minneapolis, with a primary focus in psychoactive fungi around the globe. His upbringing had an emphasis on nature, spending much of his childhood in the boundary waters with his father and mother. He is co-founder of BigPsych, a Minneapolis local psychedelic community and activism organization. He has spent the better part of his adult life cultivating fungi and otherwise spending time learning and listening to nature. His only goal in life is quite simply to pursue happiness in whatever form that takes.

A quick history & future of Shiitake cultivation

Shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) are known for their rich umami flavor and health benefits. Their name comes from the Japanese words shii (a type of oak tree) and take(mushroom), reflecting their natural habitat.

Many suggest that shiitake cultivation began in China years ago. Early methods seem to be remarkably low tech. Logs from hardwood trees like oak, chestnut, or beech were cut and placed near areas where shiitake had previously fruited. Growers would stack or lean the logs in the forest, hoping spores would naturally colonize them. Over time, cultivators developed more intentional techniques, such as the "soaking and striking" method: submerging logs in water and then physically striking them to trigger fruiting.

In Japan farmers began inoculating logs by placing pieces of wild shiitake mycelium into holes, often sealing them with wax or clay. This technique eventually became the foundation for the modern log based cultivation still popular among small scale and permaculture growers today.

These low tech, log based methods remain viable and sustainable options for home growers and hobbyists. While commercial operations often use sterilized sawdust blocks for faster production, many small farmers appreciate the natural rhythm and lower environmental impact of traditional outdoor log cultivation.

“Its really up to us, to shape we way we want the future of mushroom cultivation to looks like. Every culture may potentially bring something new to the table”

-Tony C

How to inoculate a log with mycelium

Prep list

Hardwood logs (oak, maple, beech, or similar)
– 3–8 inches in diameter, 3–4 feet long
Shiitake plug spawn (pre-colonized wooden dowels)
Power drill with a 5/16” drill bit
Hammer or rubber mallet
Wax (cheese wax, beeswax, or food-grade paraffin)
Wax dauber or small brush
Heat source to melt wax (crockpot, camp stove, etc.)

Step 1: Choose and Cut Your Logs

Select freshly cut hardwood logs from healthy trees.
Cut during the dormant season (late fall to early spring).
Let logs rest for 1–2 weeks before inoculating. This allows natural antifungal compounds to dissipate but keeps the wood moist.

Step 2: Drill Holes

Drill holes 1 to 1.5 inches deep, spaced about 6 inches apart in rows.
Space rows 2–3 inches apart, and stagger them in a diamond pattern around the log.
Aim for about 30–50 holes per log, depending on size.

Step 3: Insert the Spawn Plugs

Place one spawn plug into each hole.
Tap gently with a hammer or mallet until the plug is flush with the bark.

Step 4: Seal with Wax

Melt your wax and dab a small amount over each plugged hole.
This helps retain moisture and protect the spawn from insects and contamination.
Optional: seal log ends and bark damage to prevent excessive drying

Step 5: Stack and Store

Stack logs outdoors in a shady, humid area, off the ground.
Use a lean to or log cabin style stacking method for airflow.
Water occasionally during dry spells to keep logs from drying out.

Step 6: Wait for Colonization

Shiitake mycelium will colonize the logs over 6–18 months.
You’ll know colonization is complete when you see white patches of mycelium at the cut ends or under the bark.
Fruiting usually begins after a heavy rain or a 24-hour soaking to simulate a storm.