Many are learning to grow gourmet mushrooms for their family tables and for small-scale commercial production. An opportunity to do just that is coming up at two Saturday workshops at STARworks in Star in Montgomery County. Local traditional gardeners Greg Bender and Hugh Martin will teach the classes.

“Growing Shiitake Mushrooms” will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, and “Growing Oyster Mushrooms” from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 13.

Fresh and dried shiitake have many uses in the cuisines of East Asia. In Chinese cuisine, they are often sauteed in vegetarian dishes such as Buddha’s delight. In Japan, they are served in miso soup, used as the basis for a kind of vegetarian dashi and also as an ingredient in many steamed and simmered dishes. In Thailand, they may be served either fried or steamed.

Also considered a delicacy, oyster mushrooms are often made into soups, sometimes stuffed, or in stir-fry recipes with soy sauce. The mushroom’s taste has been described as a mild with a slight odor similar to anise. The oyster mushroom is best when picked young as when the mushroom ages the flesh becomes tough, and the flavor becomes acrid and unpleasant.

The price for each of the workshop is $15 per person in advance or $20 on the day of the workshop (if space is available). The price covers the use of tools, wax and spawn. Participants are strongly encouraged to bring their own logs, maximum three logs per person, said Anne Pärtna, manager of STARgarden at STARworks.

The logs should be cut no longer than three weeks prior to the inoculation.

“The fresher the better,” she said. “Please do not bring logs that have fallen due to disease and have been found on the forest floor!”

Logs should be 3 to 4 inches in diameter and about 2 feet long. Anything bigger than that will be difficult to maneuver.

If possible, participants are asked to bring their own electric or fully-charged cordless drill.

Certain types of wood are better for each of the mushrooms.

For shiitake, white oak is the best, but other types of oak and sweetgum will work. For oyster, cottonwood, oak, alder, maple, aspen, ash, beech, birch, elm, willow or poplar are best.

Lunch — a soup and sandwich — will be provided for an additional $5. Participants may bring their own lunch if desired. Space will be filled on first-come-first-serve basis. Payment is expected at the time of registration.

Each workshop size is limited to 35 people. To register, call Anne Pärtna at (336) 653-9551 or e-mail: anne@starworksnc.org.

STARworks is located on the northern side of Star. From U.S. 220/I-73/74, travelers will take the Star exit and go west toward the town.  Continue about one mile to stop sign.  STARworks is directly ahead in the brick factory building at the water tower.  Take a left at the stop sign onto U.S. 220A Business and take the first right onto College Street. The workshop will be at the rear of the building. Enter by the wooden deck near the garden.