How to Grow Massive Oyster Mushrooms in Your Straw Garden, Part 1

The elm oyster mushroom loves to grow on straw. This video is a short tutorial how to grow elm oyster mushrooms in your own garden. When the mycelium is mixed into the straw and used as mulch for your garden, multiple benefits occur....the straw is rapidly broken down to feed the plants, water is retained and, of course, edible, gourmet mushrooms are produced along side your vegetables.

[@TheAbsurdityMine]

This is the first company I have seen show you how to make most of the mushroom kit. Seems like the heart is int he right place. I will definitely be buying from you!

[@100thMonkeyMushrooms]

Don, Thank you for the kind words. We are currently working on more videos showing more diverse ways to grow your own mushrooms. Thanks for watching!

[@100thMonkeyMushrooms]

Thank you both for the kind words!

[@Mrbfgray]

I was thinking the same thing. :-)

[@chefe2152]

100thMonkeyMushrooms me to I would like to buy from you! Are you guys ship to Canada?

[@ohsweatbret]

Yea I definitely respect and appreciate them promoting using their product sustainably rather than some single use package that you have to rebuy after depleting it. I’ll keep that in mind when it comes to buying a starter kits and spores.

[@gwendolyndeashborough2189]

What a Beautiful thing to teach your Children. A sustainable Lifestyle.

[@remnantfewministriesminist495]

Wonderful! I cant wait to try! Your daughter is adorable and that mushroom is huge! Thank you for the video.

[@ohsweatbret]

I like many others appreciate you teaching your viewers how to use your product in a sustainable way.

[@catejordan7244]

Loved getting harvesting lessons from a youngster.

[@MyChilepepper]

Yes, I did it Jimm, I inoculated outside strawbale bed with spent blue oyster blocks and harvested some mushrooms in less than 10 days already. Texas winter rain helps increase humidity to 80 percent in 62 degrees F average temperature. Wow what a difference in taste wise growing them outdoor. Really recommend people try this method. I even saved the mushroom stalks, chopped them and covered them in straws. The mycelium is growing like crazy. My only complaint is the price of strawbales have gone up to $14 each! Still we are enjoying our endeavors. Thank you!

[@mssburr]

I love the pretty little girl helping out. you go girl....

[@flowdancefitnessmotuekawit6757]

Great video thanks. Love how your wee girl is involved. I'm going o start as soon as my spores arrive :) Thanks from NZ

[@Fungiacademy]

Love it. Thank you for the inspiration!

[@The_Custos]

Brilliant. I am going to try this after I get through a few kits.

[@Abundantman777]

TY for your video. Very well done!!

[@McDowallManor]

Fantastic video. Great to see your young daughter so engaged with the farming! She's a cute as a button (as opposed to an oyster). I'm having to resort to trials in a cheese fridge at 17 degrees over here in Australia. I'm trying both Golden Oysters and Buttons so thanks for the info.

[@thesuicidewalrus415]

Wonderful suggestion!!!

[@sumip90x]

This is Awesome! Thanks for sharing

[@oldandfound1]

Hi Jim, Dropped in to see your latest video and then checked to find indeed your website is up. Great reviews page. Wondered if you had pasturized the straw? An ice storm two winters ago damaged many alders on our farm. Presently have 200 + logs ready to drill, the ends already waxed. Dowels sourced from here in Washington. Excited new mushroom farmer. Dennis

[@100thMonkeyMushrooms]

Thank you!

[@andygeorgiou2846]

Fantastic man!

[@100thMonkeyMushrooms]

Much appreciated!

[@100thMonkeyMushrooms]

+100thMonkeyMushrooms Biochar would not have an immediate effect on the fungi. The advantages of biochar seem to take a few months to years to be realized, but they are significant. So yes, add your charcoal.

[@billiverschoore2466]

Só excited about this idea... thank you thank you! Except i'll start by growing winter oysters (locally sourced in the wild), topping my 3d compost bin (nearly cooked) and the 4th one (cooked) with straw and spawn slurry. Will try and avoid active-ant season - not sure if that will give the spores enough time to grow mycelium and fruit, maybe if i shelter them from the cold somewhat. I anticipate mycelium growth at least, and will see where to go from there. Couldn't quite work out when you added the elm oysters to the straw. Somewhen in summer, to have them fruiting late summer or early autumn? Will try these around my allotment too. 🙏🏽 both , and 🌳🕊💚

[@srikandiwarion1422]

awesome! I always enjoy your videos. I am so interested in growing mushrooms and thinking of doing mushroom farming business in the future. You make everything you do look so easy. Thank you for the share :-) please keep it coming, it's wonderful to see your child is enjoying the mushrooms as well.

[@100thMonkeyMushrooms]

+Srikandi Warion Thank you for watching!

[@srikandiwarion1422]

100thMonkeyMushrooms my pleasure :-)

[@marbetu5394]

thank you so much. Brilliant. Would this work with white button mushrooms too?

[@100thMonkeyMushrooms]

Bob, Thanks for the comment...this straw and spent kit were layered in the garden bed in Austin, TX on Jan 1st. The productions of mushrooms were 9,12, and 15 weeks later then it become too hot (late April). Regardless of where you are, a good time to inoculate the straw/mulch is when you would first plant your vegetable garden in your area....when the chance of a hard frost has become minimal. This gives sufficient time for growth throughout early spring and production should occur before the temperatures become too warm.

[@crystalh733]

So cool!!

[@TheNaturesFriends]

Great vid

[@100thMonkeyMushrooms]

Harold Shifflett Thank you!

[@100thMonkeyMushrooms]

You can try plugging some oyster spawn into the bale and grow simultaneously with your garden plants.

[@joelegrand5903]

At 3:18 I think the mushroom is as big as your helper. I like the ideal of mushrooms composting mulch in the garden bed, oh & eating the fruit of the Mycelium.

[@CandiceWA]

Hi, love your video. Can I mix the golden and blue oyster all in one garden bed? What’s going to happen if I do mix them? Yuh have veg grow on straw? Or you have soil under your straw? No cardboard under straw? How do you make your mushroom came up like planting veg, evenly spaced? Thank you!

[@joshuawgarner]

I'm down here in hot humid GA. When would be the best time to prepare a bed like this using a spent kit?

[@Stellar148]

Incredible! Ingenious !!! And what a lovely girl!!!

[@mr.groove2142]

Thank you for the video, One question. How can you make the mushrooms fruit all year if you don't have to worry about the cold? Btw I live in Ecuador if that helps.

[@laurarowland7926]

I am looking forward to starting my white button mushrooms, but how do you store your mushrooms so they don't spool??

[@Misha26100]

Do you have to pasteurize the straw? Also, will oysters do well on wood chips?

[@gregspevak1608]

So awesome. Thanks so much for trying (and documenting) this! It looks like the straw was chopped to ~2-4" long pieces - is that correct? I wonder what effect that has/had in this outdoor context on the mycelium's rate of growth; I can only imagine it helped. I know chopped/shredded straw is favored for indoor growing, and I figure the same general principle applies outdoors.

[@100thMonkeyMushrooms]

Greg Spevak Greg, thank you! The straw was chopped...more surface area, more mycelial growth, larger mushrooms

[@sann3119]

yes, that's exactly what I hear. I hear people that are interested in purchasing the kit but they want to know if it will continue to give off mushrooms. I haven't tried the kit myself though.

[@giorgoszantiotis6917]

Hello...!! Did you do any process at The straw? Or you Just plant The micylium?

[@100thMonkeyMushrooms]

Georgia is a great place to grow...plant your mushrooms beds when your region typical plants vegetable gardens in the spring.

[@apostle333]

Would it be worth while to add charcoal? I have a fire pit, and the coal seems to just go to waste.

[@LittleRapGuy]

cool video

[@aliciarhodes3023]

Would you be able to break up a kit into a 5 gallon bucket with this process and get a similar result?

[@ktdidits]

Does it have to be in sun or shade, what season (temp.) does it need to be, and how frequently do you have to water it? I love this idea! Do you sell the kits? Can you do this with Button and Portabella mushroom? I so want to do this; fresh mushrooms at home ~ Yum! Thanks for sharing :)

[@ikyiAlter]

What's the vegetable or plant that you're growing on the side?

[@djameleddinebendjedia5210]

When did you inoculate the straw with mycelium?

[@lowbudgetgarden672]

Can we grow mushroom in this method in rainy season

[@ganwu95]

Would be any type straw can be use to grow on? How about hay straw get from the pet shop? Thanks

[@kicknadeadcat]

Was that straw sterilized? And was that garden in the shade?

[@HMFamilyLife]

Hi. I cannot tell what you said at the end of the video about moisture and the mushrooms? Make sure what?

[@lastblow4563]

No pasteurizing/sterilizing the straw at all because it is outdoors right?

[@MyChilepepper]

How do you prevent doodle bugs or wood lice from eating and contaminating the mushrooms mycelium?

[@GrazynaWolski]

Is it necessary to pasteurize the straw?

[@randomjohn]

Are other varieties of oyster mushrooms also suitable for this application?

[@jamealaberchan7316]

hopely it woude grow for me tho : - ) thank,s for feedback , hafe a nice harvest .

[@zenotukmol7262]

awesome this is great

[@100thMonkeyMushrooms]

Thank you

[@diegomantecado]

Hello! how much time keep it produce mushrooms?

[@mythics791]

so cool

[@1Nanalo]

do you guys ship outside the US?

[@rockstar0777.]

What is something that does come back every year?

[@100thMonkeyMushrooms]

George, Use hardwood chips for continued growth, wood chips are much better at spawning another generation than straw (straw will typically produce 3-4 times in a season, then it is finished). Once your bed is established in chips, add new hardwood chips each spring.

[@1too3fore]

What kind of shade requirement do they require? Also, it seems they might do well in a hugelkultur bed since they tend to stay moist year round. Would fresh sawdust work, too?

[@100thMonkeyMushrooms]

90% + shade. hugelkulture is a great application. And aged sawdust 3-4 months works bettter than fresh (fresh does not readily absorb water) Thank you!

[@1too3fore]

100thMonkeyMushrooms Ah, so that's why you cover yours and they'll need more light to fruit or not?

[@100thMonkeyMushrooms]

No more light needed.

[@woundeddove]

100thMonkeyMushrooms Do you ship directly to public whole 🍄 mushrooms?

[@MsTokies]

have you ever thought of combining this with hugelkultur. we live in a pretty big drought area. but if you put the bottom layer as woodchip chunks maybe that's been decomposing for over a year? 5 inch thick. then followed by 10 inches of straw. i wonder if it would hold water better. possibly some biochar on that bottom layer for water holding. perhaps (cook the decomposed chips to pasteurize them a bit before adding)

[@100thMonkeyMushrooms]

This kind of ideas is what the world needs more of! Sounds very creative and feasible, give it a try and keep us posted on the results (with photos, of course).

[@eleanorerosanova7538]

100thMonkeyMushrooms what is underneath the first layer of Straw? Composted dirt? Thank you for the wonderfully thought out and presented video.

[@Romazetti]

Eleanore Rosanova i think it's regular earth. For saprophytic mushrooms it doesn't matter.

[@ryanlabonte6098]

beautiful oysters. I grew up picking them in the woods with my dad. I had no clue they could be grown without being on a tree. does the flavor change from the different growing method? straw vs tree?

[@100thMonkeyMushrooms]

+ryan labonte I have not heard of anyone who can distinguish the difference between log and straw grown oysters . Thanks for watching!

[@RndomFX]

what time of year did you plant this and what are your weather conditions, temp/humidity/etc typical for your area?

[@hohohori1026]

Same question

[@MoisesA22]

^

[@missstarrynight7736]

Hi! I followed this advice and tried to grow oyster mushrooms outdoors just like this gentleman. I succeded! I planted my mycelium in May or June I guess, now in late August I have the first mushrooms appearing. I'm in a climate zone 7a. During hot and dry summer (temp. even over 30'C) I kept the straw humid. When it's raining, I don't water it. :)

[@patrickkinney4998]

What I have is a lot of banana. What type of mushrooms can I grow in mulched banana?

[@chrishall2594]

Can this be exposed to cold heat rain snow etc?

[@zaphodbeeblebrox8161]

I'd be very worried about contamination of the straw with competing and poisonous mushrooms. Is there a type of eatable mushroom that is so distinctive it cannot be mistaken for something poisonous?

[@100thMonkeyMushrooms]

We do not sell oak logs, however; there are many hardwood logs in your local area you can use to grow your mushrooms. Please watch our videos titled "Mushroom Cultivation on Logs" (3 videos on our KZbin channel - 100th Monkey Mushrooms), which explains the log inoculation process and gives you detailed information on what type of log to use. Also, keep an eye out for tree trimmers in your neighborhood or neighbors pruning branches...they are often happy to give their logs away. Happy growing!

[@MyChilepepper]

Hi Jim, can this outdoor mushroom bed be grown in zone 8b ? Because in the summer it can go up 104 degrees F. I have five spent blocks of blue oyster that I had indoor and thinking of doing just like this rather than tossing them in a compost pile. Thanks for your response.

[@missstarrynight7736]

Give it a try, just remember to water it regularly. If it's very hot summer, you can shade your patch or grow your mushrooms under some bigger plants. Just experiment!

[@jojozepofthejungle2655]

thAt is aWesome

[@choucobra]

Thanks for this very informative video! But one question: once the mushroom grows for one season, does it continue growing for more years or does it need to be replanted every year?

[@100thMonkeyMushrooms]

When straw is inoculated it will last one season. I you use the more hardy wood chips, more chips can be added the following season to initiate more growth.

[@Abundantman777]

gotta love your little girl :-)

[@hezekiah5537]

Wow

[@petset77]

What kind of straw is being used? (...and what wood is ideally used for this mushroom?) I'm growing pearl oyster, and do okay with barley straw along with coffee grounds and cardboard in bucket grows. I haven't tried a ground spawn yet.

[@100thMonkeyMushrooms]

Barley straw will work fine. Leave out the coffee (increases chances of contamination) and the cardboard (waste of space). ie. use straight straw.

[@eleanorerosanova7538]

100thMonkeyMushrooms would these survive in the California desert? Thank you. :)

[@chris11sholtz]

i have two raised beds for vegetables and 8 totes that i grow tomatoes and such in. the soil in the totes is pretty much depleted of nutrients, so i have been putting coffee grounds/tea leaves/organic waste from the house into the totes. my question is would it be feasible to cover the tops of the totes with several inches of straw and grow mushrooms to help enrich the soil again?

[@100thMonkeyMushrooms]

+chris11sholtz Yes, you would do the same as shown in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2HKq4aHmNqCg7c

[@skislock]

How thick is the straw bed and is it right over soil? There is no mention of pasteurization or soaking of the straw beforehand. What are your feelings about that?

[@100thMonkeyMushrooms]

In this particular application the 4-6 inches of straw is directly on the soil. However, best to put a layer of cardboard down first. No pasteurization...success is the norm. Soaking straw, if you a large enough vessel is ideal.

[@jimbo1545]

hey man. you seem to be the expert on shrooms:) was wondering, i mix a massive amount of goat and horse manure and straw into my garden every year "clay soil"is my soil type, would these mushrooms grow well in such a mixture?

[@100thMonkeyMushrooms]

The manures would have too many competing microorganisms. Use straight straw.

[@marissakastner8467]

Would work out of my country Philippines 🇵🇭 ? Thanks

[@pbg9208]

Hi there! How do we know when all the mycelium or straw/coffee is used up and it's time to replace substrate or add more mycelium? Thank you!

[@100thMonkeyMushrooms]

After 2-3 fruitings.

[@nemesisbreakz]

What state do you grow in? I live in Kansas. Could I successfully grow these outside?

[@100thMonkeyMushrooms]

+nemesisbreakz Yes, you can definitely grow these in Kansas. Wait until spring at the time you plant a vegetable garden, then inoculate with our Elm Oyster Garden Kit...see this video for more detail: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2HKq4aHmNqCg7c

[@QFabRednick]

Great video. Should the straw be pasteurized first? I live in central Florida and have problems with red ants also.

[@100thMonkeyMushrooms]

No need to pasteurize you straw outdoors...and the ants will not be a problem. See our latest video to answer may of your questions: Growing Mushrooms in Garden Beds Thank you!

[@altha2008]

100thMonkeyMushrooms I use a mixture of Garlic and Black pepper and spray it around the plants. It will keep all the bugs away and want affect the mushrooms Do no spray it on it just right around it. I use an old Window cleaner spray bottle it makes it easy

[@mauricebrown9094]

I realize this is a few years old , however, is that type of mushroom the best for garden plating or are there others that do well also...Thank you....

[@100thMonkeyMushrooms]

+Maurice Brown Yes, we specifically chose this species because it does so well with garden plant. If you want to try this method try our Elm Oyster Garden Kit. It is formulated differently to spread faster than the Box Kit shown it this older video. The King Stopharia mushroom also does well with garden plants. Happy Growing!

[@ayatti26]

So awesome. Question, I have a wood pile that I use for grilling, and I see some of the chunks are covered with mycelium. If I bury the chunks under coffe grounds, compost and straw would I get similar results?

[@100thMonkeyMushrooms]

Great idea, but unfortunately, the amount of surface area on the chunks of wood would most likely not be enough to colonize (grow all over) your substrate. Also, there is no way to tell what species of mushroom mycelium is growing on your wood chunks. Thanks for watching!

[@user-on5bu7xp3u]

oh that buzzing sound in the background

[@samyish]

Is this specific mushroom one that can out compete others, or are there other edible mushrooms that can be used in a non sterile environment such as a garden?

[@100thMonkeyMushrooms]

The oyster mushrooms are a great candidate for growing in a non sterile/pasteurized substrate outdoors due to the speed of their colonizations. King Stropharia also does great, as well as Shaggy Mane. Both of these species actually need certain soil microorganisms to fruit.

[@Dixienormouze]

will this mushroom grow on tropical countries like Philippines.. we have humid weather here around 30 - 36 " Celsius

[@100thMonkeyMushrooms]

The oyster mushrooms will grow like this in the Philippines, be sure to chose a species that likes the hot temperatures, such as; the golden oyster or pink oyster.

[@dorfriedman9115]

I did the same yesterday with some leftover mycelium. Should i water it more then 1 per week if I live in Israel which is hot?

[@missstarrynight7736]

Water it when it gets dry. Just don't overwater. It should be lightly moist/humid all the time.

[@100thMonkeyMushrooms]

Thank you! Shiitake will not grow in this layered straw manner, being as you are correct, shiitake does not grow on straw like oyster mushrooms will. Shiitake needs a hardwood log. And, yes, this technique will work in a terrarium. Give it a try and let us know how it goes!

[@missstarrynight7736]

Hi! I saw shiitake grown on a mix of wheat straw and gypsum, if I remember well. I will give it a try! Hardwood log are not necessary. By the way, I followed your advice and made an experiment. It's late August 2021 and I'm seeing my first ever oyster mushrooms growing! :D I am beyond excited! That you so much for sharing this method!

[@shiruko_1647]

She's so cute!!!!

[@bcleeanderson]

Great helper and video! Do you think it will grow well if the bed is situated beside the house on the north side which means it will be constantly under the total shade of the house? Since I live in Vancouver, Canada, our temperature range is in zone 7 and the growing seasons are from 10 - 30 C (50 - 86 F). Thanks! :)

[@missstarrynight7736]

Yes! I grow my oyster mushrooms on a balcony (!) in a big container, together with veggies. It's facing north. I'm in zone 7a.

[@michael61png]

will this work with other oyster and other mushies?

[@100thMonkeyMushrooms]

Yes, other oysters will do very well in straw. However, we suggest the elm oyster if you are co-planting with garden plants. Other species such as, Shaggy Mane and King Stropharia also do well with garden plant/straw beds.

[@hashemshahin5614]

hello is it possible to get mycelium of a couple of oyster mushroom strains on agar plates sent through regular mail? I want to do some experiments with my school students many thanks in advance

[@100thMonkeyMushrooms]

+Hashem Shahin Hashem, Send us an email at [e-mail]

[@AcousticGeorge]

Will the mycelium continue to grow and fruit after picking the mushrooms as long as you keep giving it straw to grow on? Would be great for a permaculture garden if so!!

[@stephbigorneau7212]

As I know it will unless ice or lake of humidity kill your mycelium.

[@Dollapfin]

Steph Bigorneau I’m late, but in case you still care ice and dry conditions don’t easily kill fungi. Not the ones that are native to my part of the world at least. I had dried spawn bought for a fun experiment from three years ago. Shit is growing rn in hrs. It’s very contaminated so I’ll throw it, but three years of bone dry ain’t killing my fungus.

[@stephengardipee4829]

I live in Belton. I would like to visit your mushroom garden if that is ok with you.

[@100thMonkeyMushrooms]

Stephen, We are no longer in Austin. We relocated to Colorado about two years ago. Thank you!

[@1Nanalo]

what are those vegetables that grows with those mushrooms

[@100thMonkeyMushrooms]

The elm oyster seem to do well with plants from the brassica family (brussel sprouts, broccoli, pak choi...)

[@TheASTrader]

Can this be done in wood chips as well?

[@100thMonkeyMushrooms]

+TheASTrader Yes, although it will take longer and is not as reliable as straw. See this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2HKq4aHmNqCg7c

[@jameswagner7498]

Would this work with a spent shitaki kit?

[@100thMonkeyMushrooms]

No, oysters work well but Shiitake needs sterilized sawdust or logs to grow.

[@yuleylomboy9165]

I want to demonstrate step by step

[@100thMonkeyMushrooms]

Pets and even wild life (deer, bear, raccoons, squirrels...etc) generally tend to ignore mushrooms unless they are is dire circumstances (drought).

[@Gojirella]

Will this survive the winter and grow by it self next year?

[@100thMonkeyMushrooms]

Inoculate early in the spring so you are able to maximize the number of flushes (2-3). In will not come back the following year, not from the cold, rather: it is spent.

[@Gojirella]

Ok. Thanks! :)

[@JessLewisOfficial]

What are the straw options? We mainly have oat here in southern california. Also, how deep is that straw bed? Thank you.

[@100thMonkeyMushrooms]

+Jess Lewis Clean oat straw will work well. 4-6inches deep

[@JessLewisOfficial]

+100thMonkeyMushrooms thank you for the info!!

[@100thMonkeyMushrooms]

You are welcome. Our Garden Kit is formulated specifically as a spawn (like straw) and much more effective than using a spent indoor grow kit. Happy Growing!

[@JessLewisOfficial]

OK, thanks! I'll check it out. Great content. Super helpful

[@100thMonkeyMushrooms]

You are welcome!

[@emmadraper4774]

Could you do this with dry spawn grains?

[@100thMonkeyMushrooms]

Emma Draper The insects and rodents will eat the grain before it has time to spread throughout the substrate.

[@missstarrynight7736]

You can use spawn wooden plugs. It worked for me!