Growing Mushrooms in the Garden: 3 Techniques

When we think of gardening, we rarely think of mushrooms as allies. And yet, certain edible species can blend seamlessly into our vegetable gardens, lawns, and flower beds, while providing numerous benefits to the soil… and to our plates!

In this article, discover three simple, natural, and sustainable methods for growing edible mushrooms in your garden:

• On a log,

• On mulching in the vegetable garden,

• Right onto the lawn.

These techniques are suitable for hobby gardeners, permaculture enthusiasts, and anyone interested in growing organic mushrooms locally.

🌳 1. Log-based cultivation: a return to tradition

Ideal for: small gardens, orchards, shady spots, and fans of rustic styles.

Wood-based cultivation is one of the oldest and most resilient techniques. It draws inspiration from Asian forestry practices, particularly Japanese methods for shiitake mushrooms. It involves inoculating hardwood logs (oak, beech, maple, hornbeam, etc.) with mycelium.

Growing oyster mushrooms on logs

Key steps:

1. Select freshly cut logs (less than 6 weeks old) that are 80 cm to 1 meter long.

2. Drill holes at regular intervals (every 10–15 cm).

3. Add mycelium in the form of plugs or inoculated grains.

4. Seal the holes with food-grade wax to prevent drying out and contamination.

5. Place the logs in the shade, keep them moist, and be patient: fruiting usually fruiting 6 to 12 months later.

Recommended mushrooms: Shiitake (Lentinula edodes), oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus), reishi (Ganoderma lucidum).

✅ Benefits:

• Will bloom for 3 to 5 years,

• Low maintenance,

• Proven and aesthetically pleasing technology.

❗ Important notes:

• Storage space required,

• Waiting period before the first harvests.

🥕 2. Mulch-based gardening: mushrooms and vegetables go hand in hand

Ideal for: permaculture gardens, raised beds, organic farming areas.

This method fits perfectly into a living garden where mushrooms act as natural decomposers. They transform organic matter into humus, nourishing plants while producing delicious fruiting bodies.

Key steps:

1. Prepare a rich, well-aerated mulch (untreated wood chips, straw, BRF). To increase the chances of success, we recommend pasteurizing the substrates with lime.

2. Water thoroughly to ensure the soil stays moist.

3. Spread the mycelium ( in the form of grains or colonized substrate) over the surface.

4. Cover with a thin layer of soil and keep moist.

Recommended mushrooms:Wine-red Stropharia (Stropharia rugosoannulata), Elm oyster mushroom (Pleurotus pulmonarius).

✅ Benefits:

• Promotes soil health and vegetable yields,

• Dual production (vegetables and mushrooms),

• A simple and cost-effective technique.

❗ Important notes:

• Requires well-decomposed mulch,

• Susceptible to drought: monitor moisture levels.

Nitrogen deficiency:

When carbon-rich mulch (such as wood chips) is spread on the ground without fungi, it is primarily soil bacteria that break it down. In doing so, they consume large amounts of nitrogen, creating anitrogen deficit: a temporary shortage for the surrounding plants.

When growing edible mushrooms using mulch, the process changes. Thanks to their enzymes, mushrooms break down wood without drawing as heavily on the soil’s nitrogen reserves. Instead, they release the nitrogen contained in the woody materials, gradually making it available to plants. The result: more fertile soil and balanced growth.

 

🌱 3. Growing plants in the lawn: discreet and productive

Ideal for: small spaces, shaded areas, families with children.

Growing mushrooms in your lawn is a fun and eco-friendly way to grow your own food. The right varieties can thrive in a lawn that’s rarely mowed and free of chemicals.

Key steps:

1. Cut out a square of turf (about 30 x 30 cm).

2. Place the mycelium (in the form of a substrate or grains) underneath.

3. Replace the plate and gently tamp it down.

4. Lightly cover with compost or potting soil to help retain moisture. Keep the soil moist over the next few days and weeks, but don’t let it get waterlogged.

✅ Benefits:

• Seamless integration into the garden,

• Ideal for small spaces,

• A fun family activity.

❗ Important notes:

• Soil that has not been treated with chemicals,

• The lawn is left untrimmed to allow mushrooms to grow.

🍄 At a glance: comparison chart

hairy coprin in the garden

✨ Bonus: Why should you grow mushrooms in your garden?

• Less fertilizer : Mushrooms help plants absorb nutrients.

• Living soil : Mycelium aerates the soil and stimulates microbial biodiversity.

• Natural protection : Certain fungi help control fungal diseases in crops.

• Healthy, locally grown produce : Fresh mushrooms at home, with no shipping or pesticides.