Growing mushrooms on logs is a fantastic way to bring food growing into any garden, balcony, or outdoor space - no matter how big or small. Beyond producing delicious harvests, log-grown mushrooms also support biodiversity, helping to create micro-habitats that benefit soil health and encourage a more natural, balanced ecosystem in your growing space. It’s not just about growing to eat - it’s about growing in partnership with nature.

There’s also something deeply rewarding about it. Once your log is established, it develops its own rhythm and lifecycle. You begin to understand when to expect flushes, how it responds to the seasons, and how to care for it over time. That growing familiarity builds real confidence - and before long, you’re harvesting with ease, knowing exactly what you’ve cultivated and when it’s ready.

As long as what you harvest is correctly identified as the mushroom species you intended to grow, log cultivation is a safe and reliable method of growing food at home.

To get the best out of your outdoor mushroom growing kit, you’ll need to carefully select the perfect log - hardwood logs are the preferred choice, although fruit tree wood will also support mushroom growth for several years.

We’ve drawn up a table below to help you source the best log for your mushrooms.

You’ll need a freshly felled log from a healthy tree, with the bark still intact. We recommend avoiding softwoods, yew, and conifers.

Your log should still be ‘green’ and ideally cut within the last 6–8 weeks. After this window, there is a higher risk that the wood may already have been colonised by other fungi, which can reduce successful growth.

What’s inside our mushroom log kits:

• Timber dowels in a vented grow bag.
• A sponge dabber for wax application.
• Soy or Bees wax
• A full set of instructions

Keep in a cool place until opening, ideally below 10° or at the back of the fridge is a great place to store.  Open within 1 month of purchase.

You will need:

• A Log - up to 50cm length, and from 10cm - 20cm in diameter.
• Must be fresh and felled with in the last 6-8 weeks, with no signs of damage or other fungal growth.
• A pen or tape to make a mark on your drill bit, the depth of your dowels, to ensure evenly drilled holes.
• A hammer.
• A drill with a hammer drill function - if your drill is not very powerful it may struggle to make the holes in hardwood.
• 8.5mm clean drill bit.

Once you’ve inoculated your log, it should be placed somewhere outside where it will be sheltered from harsh weathers both wind and sunshine.

Your log will enjoy being rained on regularly and needs to be located near a water source so it can be watered at least once a week.  If your log dries out, the mycelium is likely to perish, and your log will not fruit.

You can see the list of trees in the table below - scroll right down to the bottom of this page for our recommendation table.

Common questions:

What’s the best log to use?

We recommend a hard wood log. 

When will my log fruit?

You can expect your log to fruit 12 - 18 months following inoculation, and for 3+ years depending on the size of your log and the type of tree it is from.

If growing Shiitake mushrooms, these can be forced to fruit once it’s fully colonised, through a process called shocking.  To do this drop your logs firmly but without causing damage and then soak them in cold water for 24 hours.

Can I store my log inside?

You can store your log inside; it must be kept away from any heat sources and out of direct sunlight.  You’ll need to still water your log regularly to prevent it from drying out, do not sit your log in water or in a damp space - this is to avoid your log rotting.

Can I grow mushrooms on my Christmas tree?

Nameko mushrooms growing on fir trees can be stored under a layer of leaf mulch for the first year. They’ll fruit after a frost or snowfall, so keep an eye out for your winter harvest of mushrooms.

What mushrooms you to grow:

• Grey Oyster Mushroom - UK Native

Beautiful and delicious native variety.
Just as striking and flavourful as the standard grey oyster, with excellent performance in warmer growing conditions.

☆ ☆  Easy to grow with a good yield. Enjoys warmer environments. Anticipated moderate-to-good crop size. Check the table below for the best logs to source.

• Shiitake

Strong, deep umami flavours with stunning brown caps and pale gills.
A kitchen classic prized for its rich taste and firm texture. Shiitake mushrooms elevate everything from broths to stir-fries and roasts.

☆ ☆ ☆  Easy to grow with a good, steady yield. Can be forced to fruit throughout the year. Check the table below for the best logs to source.

• Lion’s Mane - UK Native

Soft, cascading “mane” with mild, sweet seafood-like flavour.
This native variety offers the same culinary and wellness benefits as traditional Lion’s Mane, with a slightly slower growth habit and a connection to local ecosystems. Perfect for slicing into “steaks” or incorporating into soups and stir-fries.

☆ ☆ –Easy to grow with moderate yields. Fruiting can be encouraged in different seasons with proper care. Check the table below for the best logs to source.

• Turkey Tail - UK Native

Earthy, woody flavour with beautiful natural patterning.
Best known for its medicinal properties, Turkey Tail produces vibrant, fan-shaped brackets in bands of browns, greys, and creams. Ideal for teas, tinctures, and extracts.

☆ ☆  Easy to grow with moderate yields. A slower grower, but highly rewarding. Check the table below for the best logs to source.

• Chicken of the Woods - UK Native

Bold, meaty texture with a mild lemony note.
A true showstopper, producing bright orange and yellow clusters that pull apart just like chicken. Excellent grilled, roasted, or used in hearty dishes.

☆ ☆  More challenging to establish, but produces dramatic and generous harvests when successful. Check the table below for the best logs to source.

• Nameko

Delicate, nutty flavour with a slightly gelatinous texture.
Nameko is prized in Japanese cuisine for soups, stir-fries, and miso dishes. Its small, amber-brown caps glisten when cooked, adding both flavour and a beautiful glossy appearance to meals.

☆ ☆ ☆  Easy to grow with a reliable, steady yield. Fruiting throughout the year is possible under the right conditions - prefers the cold. Check the table below for the best logs to source.

• Coral Tooth - UK Native 

Delicate, sweet, and slightly nutty flavour with an interesting coral-like texture.
A beautiful native variety, perfect for adding visual interest to dishes or enjoying simply sautéed.

☆ ☆  Easy to grow with a good yield. Thrives in cooler environments. Anticipated moderate-to-good crop size.

• Velvet Shank - UK Native

Earthy, mild flavour with a tender, velvety texture.
This native mushroom produces striking clusters, adding both flavour and visual appeal to your culinary creations.

☆ ☆  Easy to grow with a good yield.

Enjoys warmer environments. Anticipated moderate-to-good crop size.

• Tarragon Oyster - UK Native

Rich, savory flavour with asubtle tarragon notes in both aroma and taste - honestly!
A striking native variety with bold, attractive caps. Perfect for stir-fries, soups, and as a standout garnish.

☆ ☆  Easy to grow with a good yield. Thrives in warmer environments. Anticipated moderate-to-good crop size.

 

What's the difference between native and non native mushrooms?

Native mushrooms are species that naturally occur in the UK. When grown on logs outdoors, they sit comfortably within the local ecosystem and can be composted or returned to the soil at the end of their life cycle, helping to support biodiversity and soil health.

Non-native mushrooms are species that originate from other parts of the world. For outdoor growing, we only supply strains that have been cultivated responsibly in the UK and Europe for many years within controlled environments. They perform well on logs, however we recommend following the specific growing and disposal instructions provided to ensure they are not introduced into the wider natural environment.

Both options are excellent for log cultivation, and once established, your log becomes its own small living system - rewarding you with seasonal harvests and a deeper connection to your growing space over time.

If you have any questions we don't cover here, then do leave us a comment and we'll get back to you.

Tree recommendations:

For other mushrooms and wood suggestions see Gourmet Woodland Mushrooms or North Spore. Or drop us a comment in the form below and we'll get back to you.

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