Mushroom Mulch Benefits

Local farmer realizes the importance of soil health and using Chesed Farms Mushroom Mulch on his wheat farm.

Mushrooms have so much to offer, in our blog post about Lion’s Mane we provide information about the potential benefits Lion’s Mane has to offer but did you know that mushrooms are not only great for your consumption?  

Their growing substrate is an awesome benefit to your gardens, pastures and growing needs!  Your growing space can be brought back to life by feeding the soil and Mushroom Mulch is a great option to boost soil life.  

Here at Chesed Farms our substrate contains 60% oak, 40% non-GMO oats, and a small amount of sterilized wheat grain.  Our Mushroom Mulch contains our substrate plus there is a mix of mycelium from all of the mushrooms we grow, as well as pieces of mushrooms tossed from the harvesting process. 

 When we discuss soil, sometimes we forget that it is a living organism that needs to be taken care of and provided proper nutrients and a healthy environment.  There is a complex food web that exists in healthy soil, one that includes bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, protozoa, nematodes, creatures like earthworms and insects. Healthy soils equal healthy plant growth and nutritious food.  

Proper diversity of microbiology in your soil creates a healthy soil to support plant growth. Mushroom Mulch adds saprophytic (decomposing) fungi to your soil. These creatures will continue to live in the soil breaking down woody material into food for your plants. The substrate of the mulch also is a great food source to support other inhabitants of your micro and macro biome in the soil. Feeding the bacteria and worms that also contribute to the health of your soil.

Spreading the Mushroom Mulch under a tree, and adding more wood chips can result in mushrooms popping up seasonally. The most likely varieties are the blue and pearl oyster mushrooms, followed by the chestnut mushrooms.

Integrating Mushroom Mulch into your soil benefits the long term health of your soil. The benefits do not create instant, visible results like using fertilizers. This material adds organic matter to your soil that will increase fertility and soil porosity over time, resulting in ongoing soil and plant health.

Soil biodiversity can be achieved using Mushroom Mulch and supporting the health of your soil.  One local farmer realizes the importance of soil health and has been using Mushroom Mulch on his wheat farm to create a thriving growing environment, more here on his story and how he is using Mushroom Mulch.