FUNGI IN THE MULCH (TheMondayGarden.com)

Eco-gardening is at its best in The Monday Garden
October 23, 2005, Issue 183A

FUNGI IN THE MULCH

As noted in several articles in The Monday Garden, mulching is one of the nicest things you can do for your garden. A side of effect of piling on the mulch, though, is that fungi will come to help rot it. This, too, is a good thing.

The fungi �flowers� appear most often after rainy periods. Most of these fungi are at least curiously interesting, and some are very attractive. However, locally, we also have a form of slime mold, often found cedar mulch, which is known descriptively as �dog threw up fungi�. Fortunately, this most primitive of fungi does its growing, fruiting, spore-dispensing, and dying business within days, and then disappears on its own. Unfortunately, the lovely, more evolutionarily-advanced toadstools, shelf fungi, and puffballs are short-lived as well, so enjoy them while they last.

Picture: toadstools in the mulch, Bartlett Arboretum, Stamford, CT summer 2005

I often hear yard owners, who are not experienced gardeners, express concern about fungi in the yard and fears that their grandchildren, puppies, etc., will eat a poisonous one and/or some other horrible thing will happen.

I also hear some truly astonishing stories about the extreme but ineffective steps taken to rid to the yard of the �offenders�. One well-meaning gardening service carefully broke the fungi up and spread the parts around - a measure that should ensure more fungi in the future. Other �shooting mouse with elephant gun� remedies include removing all the mulch, or cutting back the trees to eliminate shade. Worse yet is putting down concentrated chemicals such as fertilizers, lime or poisons, which could endanger the puppies, aggravate allergies, etc., more than the fungi, especially if used improperly. If you don't believe that these substances are at least as hazardous as a poison mushroom, read the container labels.

All yards contain things that young mammals, humans included, should not put in their mouths. Many berries, seeds, and leaves of common garden plants are not good for the small ones. Some small objects are choking threats; others contain naturally occurring poisonous chemicals or are contaminated by run-off from the driveway, eaves or pesticide-using neighbors. If the small ones that can't yet be trusted to not put things in their mouths need to be supervised in the yard anyway - getting rid of the fungi doesn't solve the problem.

The truth is that there is very little that can be, or need be, done about fungi occurring naturally out of doors. Fungi are part of the natural order of things and will go away on their own when their job is done. Meanwhile, enjoy.

Picture: toadstools in the mulch, Bartlett Arboretum, Stamford, CT summer 2005

Picture: A most unusual fungus comes back every year in the mulch under the birches on Prospect Street, Stamford, CT, summer 2004. According to Ginny Stibolt, The Transplanted Gardener, it is a staghorn.