A shiitake operation

I used to grow shiitake mushrooms. There were already other growers here, so I had trouble finding buyers and finally let the logs peter out naturally. But it was pleasant work and I recommend it if you can sell or eat the results.

Basically, you cut logs, introduce spawn (inoculate), put the logs in a shady place, and let the spawn colonize the wood. Eventually, mushrooms appear. To inoculate the logs, I used wooden dowels from Field & Forest Products.

I had about 100 logs. Here's where I inoculated them:

The bungee cord held the log in place against C-clamp bumpers. The drill bit had a collar that stopped it at the right depth. The electric burner on the left had a pot of water; in that was a can of melted wax and a dauber.

I'd put the log in place, drill a row of holes, tap in the spawn-rich dowels, and seal each hole with wax. Then I'd turn the log a bit and do it again. It was satisfying work and smelled good, if you like the smell of mushroom spawn.

The logs then rested in the woods...

..and eventually fruited:

Shiitakes grown in your own woods are fresher, fatter, and tastier than any you can get in the store.