Fungi are an invaluable part of healthy soil. Able to extract and transport minerals and nutrients, along with water, many fungi form symbiotic relationships with plant roots and have tremendous effect on plant growth. They are also very effective at protecting roots from pathogens.
We see mushrooms as being the equivalent of fungi, but mushrooms are to fungi as cones are to a mature giant Sequoia. Only an estimated 10 percent of fungi are considered ‘mushrooms.’ Of these, we have identified only 10 percent. It is a deeply layered world we humans are still exploring.
Fungi grow as threads called mycelium. When conditions are right, mycelium grows into little clusters to form ‘fruiting bodies,’ or mushrooms. They can be terrible in your driveway, pushing up through four inches of asphalt with incredible hydraulic forces. If a driveway is regularly sealed and if water is kept out then the mushrooms usually stop forming but the fungus is undoubtedly alive and still growing on something in the ground.
In the lawn, mushrooms can be a worry if you have small children, but their fruiting times are usually brief and can be encouraged with excessive watering. Try to keep lawn watering to two or three times a week. Fungicides seldom help and usually do much more harm than good.
In 1885 A.B. Frank created the term ‘Mycorrhiza,’ combining the Greek words for fungus and root. Against the beliefs of his piers, Frank hypothesized that mycorrhiza occurred with many different types of plants under many conditions; he has been proven right. Today the widely accepted definition of mycorrhiza is ‘a mutualistic symbiosis between plant and fungus, localized in a root or root-like structure, in which energy moves primarily from plant to fungus and inorganic resources move from fungus to plant.’ Mycorrhizal relationships occur with about 80 percent of the Earth’s plant species. Some grow around the outside of the roots while others actually grow into the roots to facilitate better transfer to nutrients and sugars.
Studies have shown that much of the carbon sequestered as CO2 by plants is delivered to mycorrhiza. The materials that fungi eventually create with carbon are very long-lasting and are essential for great soils.
When trees are inoculated with mycorrhizal fungi, their rate of growth increases and more carbon is sequestered in the tissues of the plants and in the soil. While some mycorrhiza are present in our soils, it is neither difficult nor expensive to add more. When planting, soil biology should always include mycorrhiza.
In the late 1980s Dr. Milo Shammas was experimenting with culturing strains of beneficial soil microbes, both bacterial and fungal. In 1991 he created the original pro-biotic fertilizers (Dr. Earth) containing a host of soil microbes (including mycorrhiza) and a nutrient mix formulated to promote a healthy soil ecosystem.
Dr. Mike Amaranthus was, at around the same time, expanding research in mycorrhiza and started a company (Mycorrhizal Applications) to produce large quantities of mycorrhizal innoculant used in restoration, commercial forestry, agriculture, landscapes and gardens.
In his book, ‘Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World,’ another pioneer in fungi, Paul Stammets, shows us how mushrooms can break down pollutants, sequester carbon, rejuvenate sterile and poisoned soils and generally ‘save the world.’ His arguments are compelling and many of the fungi he loves produce edible fruiting bodies (mushrooms). His company (Fungi Perfecti) grows and sells spores and live fungal spawn for bioremediation and for food production.
Keep organic mulches over your soils to feed and protect soil fungi and plants’ roots; perhaps they will protect you and save the world while they’re at it.
Sharing Mountain Horticultural Expertise
Before you experiment, learn from the trials and errors of others. Villager Nursery in Truckee is offering a series of classes this spring and summer, taught by trained and experienced botanists, landscapers and garden professionals. Pre-registration is requested (to assist in teachers’ preparation) but drop-ins are often welcome. Most classes are free of charge but the workshops have minimal materials fees and for those, registration is definitely required. 530-587-0771,
villagernursery.com
Tomato Growing Workshop
May 15, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Lecture and ‘lab’ for tomato growing. Small materials fee ($25) covers your hands-on tomato planting, Ocean Forest potting soil and Fox-Farms fertilizer. Class size limited to 20. Tomato aficionados and novices welcome. It’s really not that difficult, four pots produces more than a family of four can use.
Earth Friendly Gardens and Landscapes
May 29, from 6 to 7 p.m.
‘Dirt First!’ Rob and Eric will cover the basics of sustainable gardening. Topics will include soils, soil biology, cultural practices, pest prevention, and natural pest control. We’ll discuss native and drought tolerant plants. We will also cover organic potting soils, bio-active fertilizers, natural soil amendments and of course… MULCH. These two teachers have degrees and advanced study in Botany, Plant Physiology, Ecology, Entomology, Mycology, Microbiology, IPM, Organic Chemistry, Horticulture and much more.
Pet and Child Safe Lawns
June 5, from 6 to 7 p.m.
A lush green lawn via Earth friendly care is easier and more effective than the commercially ubiquitous chemical alternative. From soil prep, mowing, watering, fertilizing, lawn repair, rodents and weeds all the way to winterizing.
