Fungi are fashionable – should we embrace that?
If done in the right way it can be lots of fun. However, some popular mushroom-growing kits on sale contain non-natives that could threaten our A native plant is one that originated or arrived naturally in a particular place without human involvement. In the British Isles, native plants are those that were here during the last ice age or have arrived unaided since.
Invasive plants are those that grow vigorously, spread rapidly and can out-compete other plants. Native, non-native and cultivated plants can all be invasive.
So is it better to grow mushrooms indoors?
We do grow some fungi outdoors at RHS Garden Wisley, following the rule to avoid the invasive and exotic. If you’re planning to grow them outdoors, choose reliable common species, such as grey oyster (Pleurotus ostreatus), sourced as locally as possible.
Are naturally occurring mushrooms a problem in gardens?
In this country there seems to be a general fear that all fungi are poisonous and damaging pathogens. The majority of fungi are neither of these things. It’s safer to handle any of our native fungi than it is to touch many common garden plants, provided you don’t have an allergy to spores or a compromised immune system. Similarly to plants, some fungi are poisonous to eat, so if you are picking them to cook you need to be careful to identify them correctly.
What are the benefits of growing mushrooms?
Even if you don’t want to eat fungi, they can greatly contribute to the The variety of living organisms (plants, animals, fungi and microorganisms) in a particular environment. Boosting the biodiversity of your garden has many benefits, including supporting wildlife, improving soil health and reducing the likelihood of pest and disease problems.
Mulch is a layer of material, at least 5cm (2in) thick, applied to the soil surface in late autumn to late winter (Nov-Feb). It is used to provide frost protection, improve plant growth by adding nutrients or increasing organic matter content, reducing water loss from the soil, for decorative purposes and suppressing weeds. Examples include well-rotted garden compost and manure, chipped bark, gravel, grit and slate chippings.
