turkey tail log kit

Turkey Tail Mushroom Log Grow Kit

Ships each wednesday...Grow Turkey Tail mushrooms naturally on hardwood logs — a simple, plastic-free method that works outdoors year-round. No disposable grow bags or complex gear, just wood, fungi and time. Once established, each log can fruit for several years, producing colourful, fan-shaped mushrooms that bring life and texture to your garden.

Why Grow on Logs

Log growing mirrors nature. It’s durable, low-waste and long-lasting, ideal for gardeners who prefer slow results and minimal input. Once the mycelium spreads through the wood, the log becomes a living system that fruits with seasonal moisture and shade. A single inoculation can keep producing for years without any plastic waste.

About Turkey Tail

Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor) is a hardy woodland mushroom recognised by its concentric bands of colour. While not used for flavour, it’s valued for its natural polysaccharides PSP and PSK, known for immune-supporting properties. Dried Turkey Tail is commonly used to make herbal teas and extracts, making this kit ideal for those interested in functional mushrooms.

What’s in the Kit

• 30 pre-colonised Turkey Tail dowels (8mm × 35mm) – ready to inoculate your log
• Drill bit with depth stop – perfectly matched to the dowels
• Natural log-sealing wax
• Foam brush for applying wax
• Printed instruction card – clear, step-by-step guidance

What You’ll Need

• A freshly cut hardwood log – beech, oak, birch or alder
• Power drill
• Mallet or hammer
• Heat source for melting wax
• Shady outdoor space – under trees or beside a fence

Before You Start

Keep dowels at room temperature for 2–3 days after delivery. If not using straight away, store sealed in the fridge (not freezer) for up to 6 months. Bring to room temperature 24 hours before use and handle gently — the mycelium is alive.

Step 1: Prepare Your Log

Use a hardwood log 8–20 cm in diameter and 50–100 cm long. Cut within six weeks and rest for two before inoculating. Avoid logs showing decay or other fungal growth.

Step 2: Drill and Plug

Drill holes 5–7 cm apart in a staggered pattern. Insert one dowel per hole and tap gently until flush with the bark.

Step 3: Seal

Melt the wax and brush over each hole and any exposed ends. This keeps moisture in and prevents contamination.

Step 4: Incubate

Keep the log in a shaded, sheltered spot, slightly raised off the ground. Colonisation usually takes 6–12 months. White mycelium at the log ends shows healthy growth.

Step 5: Fruiting

When fully colonised, the log will fruit naturally after rain or in cool, damp weather. Brackets may form several times a year and last for weeks.

Ongoing Care

• Water during dry spells
• Soak annually to refresh the log
• Keep off soil to avoid contamination

With basic care, your Turkey Tail log can produce repeatedly for many seasons.

Harvest

Cut when the colours are bright and the edges firm. Dry fully for teas or extracts. They also make a striking natural display if left on the log.

This Turkey Tail Mushroom Log Grow Kit is an ideal plastic-free gift for gardeners and fungi enthusiasts in the UK — a lasting, sustainable way to grow and enjoy functional mushrooms at home.