“So, what part of ‘no grass on the leaf mulch heap’ do you not understand, Edward?”

A thorough dress down by your knowledgeable and hard working counterparts is always tough to take first thing in the morning. Luckily, I stood my ground as it was a genuine mistake. I offered to make coffee, share cake and rectify the problem by constructing a separate compound.

Composting is an art form, one that pays dividends if done correctly. A garden is a small eco system; if we keep our soils in balance putting both hard work and nutrients in, we can orchestrate an environment where fungi and nutrients thrive.

Throughout the soil, snaking their way through the rotting logs, are the hidden wizards of the natural world. Fungi, otherwise known as mycelium, has lace strands of white that cover the depths and transform organic matter into rich nourishing humus.

The same fungi that are responsible for healing, are also responsible for delivering diseases,like rusts, mildews and tree fungus. Most fungi in the garden are beneficial. Mushrooms and mycelium cycle carbon, taking it out of plant matter and putting it into the soil. mycelium actually creates the soil.
These inconspicuous tendrils do more than just breakdown plant matter, they form Nature’s internet. By connecting into the network of mycelium, plant roots are actually able to communicate via chemical signals to other plants.

The largest living mycelium organism was recorded in 1980, at over 2,385 acres Armillariaostoyae genets, in Reynolds Creek Malheur National Forest, Oregon, USA.

Networks this size are uncommon, but to know that living organisms transcend any human placed boundaries and ownership, entertains us gardeners greatly. These networks help plants share nutrients, build immune systems and fight pathogens.

Fungi has taught me to take some time out. And that change, healing and growth takes time. During relatively short life spans we harbour an innate ability to separate ourselves from nature.

Most of us are guilty of wishing things to happen immediately. Maybe raking the leaves and composting helps to remind us that we need to allow time for ourselves to grow and evolve. Perhaps mushrooms are masters of mindfulness?

Curiously, when we become present in the moment, mindful of existing right now, we gently emerge from impatience.

Fungi teaches us about balance, about interconnection and about the strength of diversity. Fungi can remediate toxic soils, substitute leather and wood. Not a day passes when mycelium isn’t working its incredible, silent magic.

So now I understand the importance of ‘no grass on the leaf mulch’. The tiny intricacies of the work that needs to be done in our garden by the invisible. Always hard working, eternally competent Fungi.

Book: Underland Macfarlane – A Deep Time Journey | Track: Grey Light – Christian Loffler Remix | Thought: ‘Slow Wellness’ | Until Next Time…. @edwardwilliamhaynes