1. Home
  2. Inspiration

Fungi can be vital to your garden’s ecosystem. Here’s what you need to know

By Rebecca Wolken

We’ve been taught our whole lives that mold on our food is a bad sign and we should throw out whatever’s infected. So naturally, as beginner gardeners, when we see mold or fungi growing in our soil, we assume it’s terrible. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Fungi are an essential part of your garden’s ecosystem. Here, we’ll talk through what fungi are, why it’s beneficial, and when it might be harmful.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

What are fungi?

Yeast, mildew, molds, mushrooms, oh my! Fungi are everywhere, and they come in a staggering number of colors, shapes, sizes, and textures. Unlike almost anything else on planet earth, fungi digest organic matter externally before they absorb it into themselves. They don’t require chlorophyll, which separates them from plants, and their unique way of feeding themselves clearly differentiates them from animals and insects. So fungi are a unique and fascinating class of their own. And they’re everywhere from the air to the soil and in lakes, rivers, seas, and even within plants, animals, food, clothing, and our own body.

Recommended Videos

Since we can’t get away from them, let’s learn more about why they’re so crucial for the earth’s ecosystem and your garden.

Why fungi are beneficial in the garden

As a beginner gardener, you might just be learning that the essential elements in your soil are nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, carbon, and oxygen. As it turns out, fungi and bacteria are responsible for breaking down organic material and releasing these elements back into the soil, water, or air. This is the main reason why fungi are so essential to your garden. So if you see tiny mushrooms growing in your garden, you might want to do a little happy dance! Mushrooms and other fungi growing in your garden or compost pile is a sign that your soil is very healthy and likely to do a fantastic job at supporting your plants.

So while that might be enough to convince you that fungi are your friend when in your garden, that’s not the only reason you should be grateful for them. Fungi also send out a complex network of filaments called hyphae. These hyphae connect to the roots of the plants around them and communicate with each other in a way that benefits the fungi and the plant. Plants that live with fungi are known to have an increased ability to take in water, have a higher tolerance for drought, be more disease resistant, and have an accelerated growth rate at every stage of life.

Fungi are also beneficial to the soil. They increase the soil’s ability to drain water away, which decreases the risk of root rot and also lowers the risk of soil-born diseases.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

When fungi are harmful in the garden

There are a few fungi and mold that we’re not fans of and that can be harmful to your plants. However, these are almost always found on the plant’s leaves, fruits, or stems and look very different from our happy little friends in the soil.

Some of the most common fungi diseases in plants are black spot, rust, botrytis blight, and powdery mildew. These can ruin entire crops of squash, tomatoes, cucumbers, and almost any other plant within your garden. So how do you avoid these nasty fungi and protect your garden? First, it’s essential to look for disease-resistant varieties of plants when you can. Squash plants are notorious for getting powdery mildew as the season gets warmer and warmer. Sometimes there isn’t anything you can do, and harvesting before the mildew hits is your best option. However, prevention is the best way to protect your garden.

While we don’t entirely condone drenching your soil in fungicide, it is an option. This will keep away the fungi, sure, but it won’t know the difference between good and harmful fungi, so you’ll be losing all those other benefits by using this method.

What we recommend is keeping up with your garden maintenance. This means not over or underwatering, keeping weeds at bay, mulching, and pruning your plants as the season goes on. Good airflow, sufficient water supply, and keeping away weeds will protect your plants from fungi, root rot, and a plethora of other issues that could ruin a crop. Luckily, all these rules also help the beneficial fungi and allow your plants to thrive.

Now that you know what fungi are, why they’re beneficial, and when they might not be, you can enjoy those cute little mushrooms in your soil and protect your plants from the not so nice molds.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Rebecca Wolken
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Rebecca's has written for Bob Villa and a Cincinnati based remodeling company. When she's not writing about home remodeling…
Can you grow a bird of paradise from a cutting? Here’s what you need to know to grow your dream plant
Tips and tricks for successfully propagating a bird of paradise plant

Whether they're found in their natural habitats in the wild or as the centerpiece in an indoor garden, bird of paradise plants are eye-catching and perfect for adding some color and tropical flair to your home. This plant is native to South Africa and is well-known for its lush foliage and attractive tropical blooms with vividly colored flowers. The plant gets its name from the stunning flower's resemblance to a colorful bird in flight.

With how stunning this plant is, it's no wonder that so many gardeners want to grow their own. However, growing one from seed can take a long time, and mature plants can be expensive if you want more than one. For most plants like this, propagation is the fastest and most cost effective way of adding them to your garden. So can you grow a bird of paradise from a cutting? Yes, and this guide will tell you how!

Read more
Are pothos plants toxic? What you need to know
Tips on pothos plants and having them near kids and pets

If you have a pet or small child, you know that their curiosity cans sometimes get them into trouble. Whether it's a cat that can't stop knocking cups off countertops to see what happens or a kid who eats potting soil, it's a disaster waiting to happen. If all your plants are safe and nontoxic, then this might just be frustrating or mildly upsetting.

However, not all plants are safe for pets or children to play with. This is especially true if your pet or child likes to chew on plants. Pothos is a popular houseplant for it's resiliency, and it can be found in many homes. So let's find out if pothos could be harmful for our curious companions.

Read more
Is it illegal to collect rainwater? What you should know before setting up your rain barrels
Facts to learn about the legality of collecting rainwater

As more gardeners look for easy ways to help the environment, collecting rain water has become more popular. While anyone can compost to reduce food waste or plant trees to absorb carbon, setting up a rain barrel has added benefits for gardeners. This is especially true in states with a higher risk of drought, as rain barrels can allow their gardens to flourish even amid water shortages. However, some people have been wondering: Is it illegal to collect rainwater? We’ve got everything you need to know to feel confident setting up your rain barrels.

Is it illegal to collect rainwater?
In most cases, no, it is not illegal to collect rainwater. However, there are some places with regulations or limitations. There are no federal laws about collecting rainwater, which means it's left to each state. Additionally, there may be restrictions at the county or city level, or even from your Homeowner’s Association.

Read more