Culinary Mushrooms in the Home Garden

** Our 3/30/25 afternoon class is now FULL. Please sign up for this 3/30/25 MORNING class! ** 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 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 a Columbus-based grower and advocate for sustainable food systems. As a Master Gardener, Master Rain Gardener-in-training, and certified permaculture designer, she is passionate about cultivating resilient landscapes that nourish both people and planet. With a B.A. in Public Management, Leadership, and Policy and a specialization in ecofeminism, she understands how deeply food systems are intertwined with social structures. Ayla believes that growing food and building community are powerful forces for change, and she is dedicated to using regenerative gardening, ecosystem connection, and community-based food systems to spark a movement toward a more resilient and nourishing future.