How to Grow Lion's Mane Mushrooms Outdoors

The lion's mane mushroom is a decomposing type of mushroom, which is also known as a saprophyte. These mushrooms break down dead plant matter and work to access all available nutrients. Lion's mane mushrooms are popular with chefs because they look and taste similar to lobster meat. They resemble white pom-poms when they are growing. You can grow your own lion's mane mushrooms on a log in your own backyard. The process takes up to a year.

Things You'll Need

Logs
Mushroom plug spawn
Power drill
5/16-inch drill bit

Hammer or mallet
Melted cheese wax or beeswax
Natural-fiber paintbrush

Instructions

- 1
  Cut several logs that are less than 14 inches in diameter into 3-to-4 foot lengths.
- 2
  Drill holes in the log using the drill and drill bit. The holes should be 1 to 2 inches deep and about 4 inches apart, placed in a diamond pattern. Drill up to 50 holes in the log--the more holes, the better.
- 3
  Hit a mushroom plug spawn into a hole in the log with a hammer or mallet.
- 4
  Brush melted cheese wax or beeswax over the hole using a natural-fiber paintbrush to protect the plug spawn from weather and insects.
- 5
  Repeat steps 3 and 4 for all the holes in the log.
- 6
  Place the finished logs in a shady area near a water source.
- 7
  Label each log with the date that you inoculated it to keep track of how quickly the mushrooms grow.
- 8
  During dry times, soak the logs in water once a week until the mushrooms begin to fruit.

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