Edible Wood Farm Journal: 2018 (24)
Winter
It is cold outside. Darkness sets in at 5 pm and early morning frosts are not uncommon. December has arrived and the shiitake mushrooms now develop so slowly that you can almost hear the logs groan in frustration. The last soaking was half november and the water has been drained out of the soaking bath. Logs that have been soaked before November have been sorted and stacked and the other logs doing their best to produce the last couple of mushrooms will also soon join their colleagues.
Reorganisation
It is a time to reflect on the past season and to start preparations for the next one. This season feels different than other years because it it is the end of an era at my current location in Doetinchem. Next season the logs will have to get used to new surroundings. The Edible Wood Farm will be split up and will continue at four different places, all of which will have another purpose and function. This should give me an opportunity to expand if desired.
Care farm, Ede
Most of the thinner logs used for shiitake will be situated on a care farm in Ede. This care farm has many years experience with growing shiitake on logs and we have worked a little bit together the past few years. However, due to several uncertain years of internal reorganization the quality of their shiitake logs was steadily decreasing. Although the shiitake project is a nurtured and important part of the care farm, the current project leaders do not have the background to improve the situation and to ensure a productive future. And that is when a need can be turned into an advantage.
Cooperation
We met and discussed each of our problems and after a short period of exploring possible scenarios we chose to fully integrate the two farms. Groene Takken will deliver the material and knowledge and the care farm will do the practical work. A win-win situation. The care farm can harvest all of the mushrooms and once a shiitake log has succesfully fruited I will take two thirds of the stock and leave one third behind.
Nut farm, Nunspeet
Another new location is with the owners of a small tree nursery specialized in the production of nut trees in Nunspeet. This small company is situated in the middle of the Netherlands, is surrounded by forest and has its own water supply. Together with their neighbour we will set up a a small-scale Edible Wood Farm which can also function as a place to receive interested groups and potential Edible Wood Farmers.
Food Forest, Nijverdal
Edible wood is an unmissable part of a food forest and another new colleague is the owner and infatuated grower of exotic food forest plants in NIjverdal. On his amazing property full of everything possibly edible, visitors can become acquainted with a demonstration Edible Wood Farm and follow a short course or workshop.
Forest, Gaanderen
The fouth new location is in Gaanderen, close to Doetinchem, in a young forest on former agricultural land. Beech trees produce enough shade for all of the logs and sufficient water and assistance are available. This will become my main location as there is enough space to produce both shiitake logs and oyster mushroom logs, maybe even an experiment or two. Visitors are welcome on appointment.
December
And what will I be doing in the rest of December? That is not hard to guess…. sorting logs, lifting logs, carrying logs, transporting logs to their new home and saying farewell to the former location.
photo: selection of logs in production and not in production anymore
