Naturally

We are moving right along with projects. The next project on our list is a reconfiguration of the naturally fruiting area of the shade structure. This is where we keep the logs growing lion's mane, oysters, nameko, and cold-weather shiitake. These particular kinds of mushrooms don't respond to being force-fruited (dumped in a tank of cold water). They prefer to fruit when the temperature/humidity is to their liking. Thus, they are fruiting "naturally."

We keep these logs stacked in "crib stacks" - think Lincoln Logs. It's sometimes difficult to find and pick the mushrooms when the logs are stacked this way. We're planning a new way of storing these logs so it's easier to pick them - and easier to remove logs that are spent. The first step is getting rid of the really old logs that aren't producing anymore.

All the logs in the aisle, in the center of this photo, are the old ones that need to be tossed out! There are quite a few as we haven't culled logs from this area in a while.

As you can see, some of the logs are in pretty bad shape. This one has lost a lot of its bark and it's so old and used up, it broke in half!

This project may be going on for a few weeks, so stay tuned for more updates!

For those wondering, raising the shade structure walls and airing out the logs seems to have done the trick and the moldiness has abated. Phew! But our new problem to solve this week is our pump for the well stopped working yesterday! We were able to string together all the hose on the farm to run up to the high tunnel (from a sink in the house) so we can get enough moisture up there for the fruiting shiitake. Hopefully the pump problem isn't a big one. Fingers crossed!

In non-mushroom news, our garden, like everyone else's, is exploding with tomatoes! And also kale, basil, and various squashes.

Nine pounds of tomatoes and a couple of very large patty pan squash. Buried under the tomatoes are a couple of peppers (cherry bomb and jalapeno) and some ground cherries.

We grew a ton of basil this year so we could make this tasty basil lemon syrup. Yum!

There is SO much basil in this pot! But it barely put a dent in the basil in the garden.

We're looking forward to mixing this into some sparkling water or club soda, with maybe a splash of something a little harder, for a nice refreshing drink...when we get a chance to sit back and relax!

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Spore found a new lap to nap on the other week - Jeremy's mom! And yes, this is how he fell asleep, with one back leg behind his head. Such a silly kitty!