Culinary Mushrooms in the Home Garden

Come learn about how to grow gourmet mushrooms in low-tech, beginner-friendly ways that work with nature, not against her. Whether you’re a gardener, a forager, or just someone who loves fungi, this IN-PERSON class will give you the tools to start your mushroom growing journey—and maybe even see the world through a more mycelium-inspired lens. Mushroom cultivation can feel like it’s shrouded in a cloud of scientific mystery - what species of mushroom grows on what species of log? What differentiates spores, spawn, and mycelium? Though there’s always a learning curve with new skills, cultivating mushrooms at home doesn’t require an advanced degree. In fact, there are many worthwhile ways to integrate mushrooms into * existing gardens * to create a healthier and more resilient garden ecosystem. Whether you’re dreaming of shiitakes sprouting from a log, wine caps weaving through your garden beds, or a bucket on your porch overflowing with oyster mushrooms, we’ll cover the basics to get you started. This class will cover: 🍄 Why mushrooms belong in your garden (and your kitchen!) 🌱 Three easy ways to grow them—garden beds, logs, and containers (buckets and blocks) 🔍 Where to find the right materials (without breaking the bank) ❓ A Q&A to engage with your mushroom-growing curiosities 🏡 A guided mushroom growing action plan activity to help you get started Learners will leave with their action plan, a list of resources, and a sense of wonder and enthusiasm for mushroom cultivation. INSTRUCTOR: Ayla Bella is an educator and advocate based in Columbus, Ohio inspired by a vision of a just, regenerative, local food system. She developed the Resilience Gardening framework — a practical approach to growing food that strengthens ecological health, resource security, community capacity, personal well-being, and systems awareness. She teaches classes, tests ideas in her Columbus food forest, and offers Garden Chats and consultations to help people design gardens that are practical and future-ready. Her training includes a Permaculture Design Certificate, the Master Gardener program, and work as a Stinner Climate Ambassador.