Growing Shiitake Mushrooms in the Murphy NC mountains just might be a little easier than you think. We took a class on growing them down at Persimmon Creek Campground, just west of historic downtown Murphy and learned so much. Owners Tony and Karen have created a true haven for family friendly camping - just like it used to be back when we were young.
Our day started out a little chilly, but Karen & Tony had a fire going and plenty of hot coffee and cider waiting for our small group of eight. After getting to meet everyone we were all eager to get started. Under the pavilion we had a video presentation and examples of logs, identifying common threats to Shiitakes and lots of Q&A time.
Now it was time to tour their property and Tony showed us how to identify some of the best trees to use for our logs, showed us their method for stacking the logs they have 
inoculated and we also got to meet their chickens and goats. All this and running a year round Campground too! Of course while we were doing that with Tony, Karen had gone up to the house and brought down a wonderful lunch for us. Everything was made from things raised or grown right there on the property - including a delicious Shiitake and Black Walnut Pate.
Okay, so now that we've had a great lunch and have a little more energy, it's time to get started on our own logs! They had a stack of 4 foot logs already cut for each person to choose their own. We drilled the holes, fill them with Shiitake spawn, waxed them and tagged them.
I just can't tell you how great this class was and everyone felt the same way too. It was a prefect day and we all had a good time and learned so much. Lee and I went right home with our logs and found the right spot for them. Then we walked our property to find another tree to cut to get ready for making more logs to inoculate. We got on the website Tony & Karen used had suggested for supplies and our order. So in another year be on the lookout for another blog post about our very own Shiitake Mushrooms in the Murphy NC mountains.
To learn more about Persimmon Creek Campground
www.PersimmonCreekCampground.com 828.644.5800
200 Sunny Point Road, Murphy NC 28906
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