How Fungi Benefits the Soil

This video is part one of a series about growing mushrooms in the garden outdoors.

BENEFITS:
1. Fungi Are Great Recyclers: One billion years ago, the fungi kingdom began decomposing, carbon rich, hard-to-digest organic matter into forms that other organisms can use. We would not have the soil that we walk on today if not for the fungi kingdom. Growing mushrooms in the garden helps decompose common organic matter faster, while growing a food source.

2. Fungi Feeds Soil Food Web: This organic matter in turn feeds all of the living things in the soil food web, your plants, and eventually you when mushrooms fruit.

3. Fungi Distribute Water & Nutrients: Mycelium, the web-like threads underneath the soil, form a communication network, sometimes called the wood-wide-web which distribute nutrients and water. This web beneath our feet, connects vast systems of roots from plants and trees all over the planet. 90%+ of plants form mycorrhizal relationships with fungi.

4. Fungi Holds Soil Together: Mycelium physically binds soil particles together, creating stability that helps increase water infiltration and soil water holding capacity.

5. Builds Immunity: Evidence suggests that mushrooms support healthy immune response, lower inflammation and, through interaction with the gut microbiome, improved immune cell functionality. This is true not just for humans but also animals and insects. Mushroom extracts have been shown to improve the immunity of bees that are in danger of collapsing because of the varroa mite parasite.

Let us know if you would like to incorporate mushroom growing in the garden. If you are growing mushrooms in the garden or need help identifying mushrooms in the garden tag us on social media.

​SUPPORT OUR MISSION: All of our lessons from the garden are free and we are always looking for new members to help us support our mission. Become a member of the oldest organic garden club in America. Memberships are only $10 a year and 100% of dues go to the Zilker Botanical Garden.