Gardening With Mushrooms

Reader Contribution by Aaron Miller

I got really excited earlier this year when I saw fungi growing under my mulch in the hoop tunnel bed. I couldn’t stop daydreaming about the symbiotic relationship to come when I planted my seeds and transplants. What I didn’t give too much thought to was that most plants do best with a species-specific ratio of fungi to bacteria and that I had no idea what that ratio was. Not only that, but I didn’t know if the species of fungi I had growing was even compatible with my plants since each plant has its own specific fungi it does best with.

This was brought up to me by my Horticulture Technology Degree wielding brother-in-law when I had him proofread my Mycorrhiza article. He had a point then, and still does, but I didn’t let it ruin my parade. And as spring came on more fully I realized that maybe it didn’t matter if this wonderful co-operative relationship was established.

Growing Alongside Fungi

Online Store Logo
Need Help? Call 1-800-234-3368