Growing Shiitake Mushrooms at Sunset Community Garden

April 13, 2025


Shiitake mushrooms and lion's mane mushrooms are delicious and easy to grow. It does take time. Join us at Sunset Community Garden (@sunsetgardenridgewood) where we will use the log inoculation method to grow these edible mushrooms!

Last season gardeners inoculated logs with oyster mushrooms, and lion's mane mushrooms. We are looking forward to enjoying the first mushrooms from last year's inoculation later this spring. The oak logs we inoculate during this workshop will remain in the garden and begin fruiting next year.

This is an opportunity to get hands on with the materials and methods for log-grown mushrooms that you can replicate in your own garden/outdoor growing space. A discussion of long-term care and maintenance of mushroom logs will accompany the hands on inoculation.

This is a free workshop. All are welcome! Reserve a spot!

A big thank you to NYRP for the logs, Biotech without Borders for the spawn and Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) for the tools and expertise for this workshop. Facilitation of this workshop would not be possible without the CCE Community Mushroom Educator Program that has trained many of us here in NYC how to grow and teach about log grown mushrooms! Check out some videos from CCE exploring some of the many aspects of growing mushrooms.

If you are planning to attend the log inoculation, also consider participating in our Clothing & Housewares Swap.

**Please note: This event is entirely outdoors at Sunset Community Garden. Please wear comfortable clothing including closed toe shoes that you do not mind getting dirty. Bring water and food. There is a port-a-potty on site.

Urban Ag Food Safety Webinar

March 11, 2026
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm

Urban and small-scale producers are encouraged to join us for the Urban Ag Food Safety webinar, featuring speakers from Cornell Cooperative Extension and Cornell IPM. We will explore the 'why' behind food safety, providing a basic overview and diving into specific urban ag considerations including water, pest, rodent, and soil health challenges. We will touch on the regulation and marketing landscape, and share resources for learning more. Bring your questions!

Companion Planting in the Garden -- With Mushrooms!

March 12, 2026
10:00 am - 11:30 am

Learn how to diversify your garden harvest with companion planting at this virtual workshop. Plan next spring's garden with guidance CCE Harvest NY Urban Agriculture Specialist Yolanda Gonzalez on growing three different types of mushrooms.

2026 Rochester Urban Agriculture Conference

March 21, 2026
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Rochester, NY

Join us for our annual Rochester Urban Agriculture Conference, a day of learning and connections featuring interactive workshops, community knowledge sharing, Fruition's Gift of Seed Experience, horticulture tables and displays, and more!

Community Gardens Soil Testing Program Accepting Applications

Soil testing supports the growth and expansion of community gardens by protecting the health and safety of the food produced in these gardens. CCE Harvest NY, in partnership with the NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets (AGM) and the Cornell Soil Health Lab, is offering eligible, food-producing gardens in New York State the opportunity to send soil samples for testing without charge.

The soil test will analyze samples for heavy metals and nutrient levels. Test results help gardeners make appropriate plans to produce high quality fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Technical support and education for participating growers will be available from the CCE Harvest New York team. Learn more about the 2026 Community Gardens Soil Testing Program.

2025 Year in Review

2025 was another year of growth and accomplishment for CCE Harvest NY! Our 2025 Year in Review highlights our impacts and details our work.