Use these plugs to inoculate stumps and logs, or other recycled material like paper waste or even grow them on your used coffee grounds! As far as logs go, freshly cut hard wood is preferred, but wait until three weeks after cutting before you begin plugging your logs. Older wood will have fungi spores already in them that will compete with yours so dead wood is not recommended. Hardwood logs and stumps can be used for inoculation; after incubating the logs may be partially buried, horizontally-oriented, to conserve water during fruiting. Use approximately 25-50 plugs per 3 foot by 4-8 inch diameter log. Spring inoculated logs may yield first crops by fall, best fruiting occur within one or two years. Plug size is 5/16 inch x 1 inch spiral grooved dowels. The Logs can be left outdoors over the Winter, under a layer of straw, Some mulch, or a burlap tarp, shade cloth or other vapor-permeable cover. Do not use plastic tarps: this can cause mold to form. In areas where the Winter is exceptionally harsh, logs can be stored indoors. A shed, barn, garage or other outbuilding will do fine. Oyster mushrooms prefer to grow on spruce and fir trees. Non-aromatic hardwoods such as oak, elm, maple, Alder and similar woods are also very good candidates for log cultivation. Logs should be cut a few months before you begin plugging. Cut your logs in lengths of 3-4 feet. Use a 5/16" drill bit to drill 2-inch holes 2 to 4 inches apart, evenly spaced. Insert 1 plug per hole and whack it in with a hammer. A 3-4 foot log can take about 50 plugs, while stumps usually hold 30-50 plugs. The more plugs you use, the faster your log will be colonized with mushroom mycelium. Holes can be sealed with wax to protect the mycelium from weather and insects while it's growing. Cheese wax or beeswax is best. Although the waxing can be helpful, it is not absolutely necessary. These will last up to 2-3 months in a refrigerator before they need to be planted.
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