From: ~.^.~@~.^.~.sHIT   
      
   I am wondering if anyone in this group has attemped to grow mushrooms   
   outside using a unsterilized substrate made of chipped/shredded wood and   
   leaf mixture.   
   I have about 6 cubic yards of mostly Southern Red Oak [Quercus falcata] with   
   less than 5% Mimosa [Albizia julibrissin]. Wood chip size varies from   
   slightly larger than what you get from a chain saw down to a dust and the   
   oak leave are smaller than the size of a quarter. All the larger limbs and   
   logs will be innoculated for a warm weather Shitaake strain even though I   
   know that it is not the optimal time of year or condition of log.   
   So rather than simply returning the mulch to the carbon bank, I am seeking a   
   low tech method for turning it into mushrooms. I envision building a layered   
   bed with chips on the bottom, a middle layer of a grain or similar material   
   to act as food for the colonizing spawn and topped off with a final layer of   
   more wood chips.   
   Unfortunately, many questions remain: Will the leaves hinder the growth of   
   the mycellium or will they add much needed nitrogen for composting? What   
   type of wood loving mushroom would do best in this situation where it will   
   have to fight off any competetive organisms? Am I overstepping the limits of   
   our mild climate by attempting to begin at this time of year? [Ground never   
   freezes except for a slight crust which melts the next morning]   
      
   Any suggestions or experiences will be appreciated.   
      
   Midlands South Carolina   
   Latitude 34.1 degrees   
   Longitude 80.4 degrees   
   195 ft above sea level   
   USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8A   
      
      
   ~.^.~   
      
      
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