Fungal Matters

A majestic mushroom...a type of ectomycorrhizae (Wikipedia)

 

I've been thinking a lot about fungi lately....fungi and toxins.  I'll get to the toxins at another time, but fungi are very interesting little creatures.  You've heard of mycorrhizae, right?  There has been much chatter in the gardening world of mycorrhizae (pronounced MY-COR-YZA) but many people may not know what exactly mycorrhizae do, what they are and why they're important.  I'll try to quickly sort it out here. 

(First, mycorrihizae aren't plant roots and they aren't exactly fungi, they are the connectors between the two.  For simplicity, I'm treating them here as a unit.  My apologies to all scientific types who find this a disgusting example of a layperson oversimplifying perfectly comprehensible scientific facts.)

We've known about mycorrhizae for a long time.  These little fungal plant pals have been around for millennia.  Some speculate that they were a key factor in moving aquatic plants onto land millions of years ago.  However, advanced research on these plant/fungal relationships is relatively recent, still evolving and may actually save the world (see TED talk below.)

There are many specific types of mycorrhizae.  They are generally categorized into two types depending on how they colonize the roots of a plant; ectomycorrhizae and endomycorrhizae.  Both attach themselves to plant roots which then lengthen the reach of the root well beyond the distance the root can actually extend itself.  The ectos colonize the surface of roots and the endos colonize the cellular layers below the root surface and extend out.   

Ectomycorrhizae (white) on Douglas Fir Roots (Wikipedia) 

 

Not only do these fungal networks spread long distances but they are tiny and can push into very small soil pores in search of water and nutrients, to places plant roots can't reach.  You thought roots were small?  Well, these little mushrooms are much, much smaller.  Some can only be clearly seen with an electron microscope. But some, like the delicious truffle, are big and much sought after.  Why do the plants allow these little interlopers to invade them?  Because they nourish the plants, water them and protect them from disease.   And, here's the key takeaway point for home gardeners:  They do it so you don't have to.

You may not know it, but you are nurturing a system of mycorrhizal connections in your garden right now.  Yes, right now.  What a good gardener you are!  

There are a couple of ways you can accidentally do damage to this web of fungal plant helpers, so try to avoid doing these couple of things and your plants, trees and shrubs will thank you. 
     1) Don't rototill your soil... as in the good old days of farming. 
         Rototilling basically chops up the fungal networks and it takes them a while to  
         rebuild themselves after the assault. 
     2) Don't dump excess nitrogen or synthetic fertilizers on your plants.  The plants don't
         need their co-dependent little fungi if they have you and they will summarily drop their 
         fungal network in favor of your easy N, so don't be an enabler. 

(By now you may be wondering what the fungi get out of this arrangement...don't worry, they are fairly compensated in the form of carbohydrates, sugar, fed to them by the plant.)

One final point to make about mycorrhizae; they pal around with about 95% of the plant world.  This means that most of the plants in your garden are willing to take their calls, accept their friend request and have dinner with them.  So invite them in!  Don't be shy.  Fungi are your friends. 

One other final point to make about mycorrhizae.  A number of organic soil companies and plant growers (including the most famous of all 'Crafters' of plants) inoculates their growing soils with these fungi.  When you plant one of their plants, you receive the invisible gift of mycorrizhael inoculation for the extra dollars you spend on their plants.  Doesn't that make you feel better about spending over $12 on a 1 gallon plant? 

One other final point, and this is my final, final point.  You can inoculate your existing soil with mycorrizhae.

If you find this subject as endlessly fascinating as I do, take a look at this TED talk.  You will never, ever look at a mushroom the same way again.

Edible Landscaping - Part One

The best thing about being a Master Gardener here in Orange County, CA is that a legion of dedicated scientists and professional horticulturists have agreed to embed a bunch of enthusiastic lay-people with their hard-earned (and expensive) scientific knowledge of horticulture, agriculture, plant diseases, insects and soil chemistry for free. How great is that?

Of course, in return we must pledge our gardening souls to the larger community of home gardeners in the form of providing good, science-based gardening information. And we must solemnly promise not to pass on advice gained from well-wishing friends and relatives (As I was advised not too long ago by just one of those well-wishers, 'Simply sprinkle moth balls around your vegetable garden, honey, it'll get rid of those pesky voles and gophers.' Yes, and any aspirations I might have to good health, too. Do not do this! Mothballs are a noxious mix of neurotoxins and carcinogens. Consult with a Master Gardener before taking any advice of this kind.)

So it was with great pleasure that I recently attended an intensive Train the Trainer workshop on Edible Landscaping at UCLA, intended to ready us for our avowed mission to take this valuable knowledge out into the world through seminars, workshops and talks to the general public. (Like the excellent talks given at the Farm and Food Lab at the Great Park in Irvine, run by Master Gardeners. (See this link for more info: http://www.ocgp.org/visit/info/)

What is Edible Landscaping you ask? One of the most famous and enthusiastic proponents of Edible Landscaping is Rosalind Creasy of Northern California. (Check out her terrific website for more information on her gardens and activities at http://www.rosalindcreasy.com/edible-landscaping-basics/ )

This is her work. Isn't it fantastic? Take a look at the blackberries in full fruit against the climbing rose. Underneath the mirror* are luscious basil plants mixed with geraniums and fuchsia.  Those bold leaves reflected in the mirror are zucchini.  They are harvested near the same time in Northern California, where she lives, and precisely when roses are in full bloom, so this combination may be somewhat fleeting.  But that's one of the great things about edible landscaping - the ability to experiment and change your planting scheme throughout the edible growing season. 

The unusual thing about this combination of edible and ornamental plants is that it is in her front yard!  Not in her backyard, hidden from the neighbors. Not in raised beds relegated to some sunny corner in the back forty. But up front and center in her publicly viewed space, her front yard. This is the essence of Edible Landscaping! Isn't it beautiful?

 

 

Most of us have dug colorful and ubiquitous ornamental kale into our front yards which comes in a variety of magenta-purple mixes as well as white. This is a great starter plant, but why stop there? Well, one thing that should stop you, at least temporarily, is a quick analysis of your sunlight, soil and irrigation. If you are a lucky soul and have well draining, loamy soil in full sun make sure you have adequate irrigation for your edible landscape and forge on. If not, you'll likely need to improve your soil at least a little, especially our native California soils, and determine that you have at least 6 hours of sunlight and good availability of water suitable for the needs of the edibles you want to grow. Potable water should always be used on edibles, using grey or reclaimed water isn't recommended since it could introduce pathogens to you and your garden.

Some edibles need less water than others; artichokes and many herbs, for example. Some need less light, but admittedly most need at least 6 hours of solid sunlight to be productive.

Photo: Bonnie Plants

Who knew you could grow artichokes as a foundation plant?  Since they're a perennial they'll come back in successive years, too.

Stay tuned for Edible Landscaping - Part Two:  Fun and Games with Garden Pathogens

(*A side note on the use of mirrors in the landscape...I do worry about the increased use of mirrors placed in the landscape to make small gardens appear larger or to soften a blank wall with reflected greenery. Depending on their finish and placement, they might not be confusing and dangerous for birds, but I've seen a number of fairly large mirrors in the landscape that I just know mean trouble for birds.  So assess your site from a bird's perspective before you introducer a mirror into your landscape.)