Misty mornings and mushrooms

As the seasons change from autumn to winter, the sun’s path shifts to the North and Towerwater spends the winter in the shade of tall Bluegum trees growing on a neighbouring property. Spending the period of lockdown at Towerwater, means that we experience different aspects of the garden which might ordinarily be missed.

Mornings are misty until about noon. Then, a weak sun breaks through to warm up the day for a couple of hours before it cools again in the early afternoon. Raking the ever-present oak leaves, allows me to better observe life both in and on the lawn. The Cape Robbins are my constant companions in this exercise. When I begin raking, they are quick to catch any insect or worm disturbed in the process.

With some excitement, I noticed rings of mushrooms under the oak trees. I instantly had visions of delicacies prepared with our own mushrooms. Firstly, I needed to identify them and find out if they were edible or poisonous. I discovered that Mycology is a very interesting field of study. I was unable to identify the mushrooms on the lawn with certainty and decided to avoid the risks of eating them.

What I did discover about the purpose of fungi growing under the oaks, left me in awe of nature’s wisdom. It made me realise again that there are many fragile ecosystems constantly at work in one’s garden.

Mushrooms growing under the oaks is a sign that the soil is healthy. The symbiotic relationship between the oak and the mushrooms is another amazing way nature works. The mushrooms promote the health of trees. They assist in the decomposition of the falling leaves in autumn. The oak tree knows that it needs assistance with the decomposition of the leaves in a natural environment.

Trees share a symbiotic relationship with types of root fungi called mycorrhizae. The mushrooms are the reproductive bodies of these fungi. The fungus provides nutrients to the trees and the tree provides carbohydrates and an environment within which the fungus can reproduce.

The top and bottom of two kinds of mushrooms growing under the oaks

The fungus forms a sheath around the tree's root tips. Here, it accumulates minerals that would otherwise have been lost to the tree. The tree absorbs the nutrients and then in return, produces carbohydrates specifically for use by the fungus.

The top and bottom of a third kind of mushroom growing on the lawn

All the fine roots of oak trees in the upper soil layers are ectomycorrhizal or in a mutually beneficial relationship. In return, the fungi also protect the trees from the poisonous effect of pollutants.

Mushrooms heading for the compost

Before I knew to this extent what the purpose of the mushrooms were, I had been raking them up with the leaves. Knowing that they can be poisonous, I was hesitant in adding them to the compost bins. I soon learnt that one can add any mushrooms to compost, edible or not.

The benefits of mushrooms in compost are that,

1.  Mushroom spawn can act as a compost activator. This is so because the microbial activity breaks down the organic material in the pile. The increased rate of decomposing material will then also increase the heat within the pile, which in turn speeds up the process.

2.  Mushrooms are rich in potassium, copper and phosphorus. All these minerals become part of the compost that feeds one’s plants and garden soil.

3.  Mushrooms are the fruit of the mycelium network. This network releases enzymes that break down into basic sugars and nutrients that efficiently feed plants and help them grow faster. Adding mushrooms to your compost ensures that these benefits go right to the vegetables one eats.

4.  Adding mushrooms to a compost bin speeds up decomposition by spreading filaments and cells that break down tough organic materials, like autumn oak leaves.

On reflection, I decided that the garden benefits more from the mushrooms than any dish I could prepare with them. On a misty morning, the garden taught me so much about the harmony between organisms. It is evident that nature knows exactly what is needed and when. To understand the ecosystems at work in the garden helps me to become a contributor and a beneficiary. Much in the spirit of nature’s own symbiotic relationships.