Secrets of the Soil
27 May, 2025
In the last month, some light rain and dewy mornings have activated the soil, revealing some of the mysteries beneath our feet. Whilst summer can reveal the health of the soil by how well water is retained and how drought tolerant the plants are, autumn can give us a glimpse of the fungal life present in the soil (without the use of a microscope). Little mushrooms have been popping up in our lawn, wood chip pathways and garden beds, as well as a few on our ancient Peppermint tree. Over the last few years we’ve noticed a more diverse range of mushrooms in our garden, indicating a more diverse range of fungal life in the soil, which is encouraging to see.
Fungi are important decomposers, responsible for breaking down tougher organic matter such as old tree stumps, leaf litter, fallen timber & protein based insect shells. During this process, they recycle & redistribute nutrients making them available to nearby plant life. Fungi comes in many forms, from those that are invisible to the naked eye, to ones that produce fruiting bodies above ground (mushrooms).
One way to help support fungal life is to practice no-dig gardening techniques. No-dig gardens help support soil life & build healthy soil, which in turn grows healthy plants that are more pest & disease resistant & nutrient rich. If this is something you'd like to learn more about, I’m available for coaching sessions (in-person & online) that can be tailored to yours and your garden’s needs. You can find out more here.
“Fungi are the grand recyclers of the planet...”
On a recent visit to see Mum and Dad, mushrooms could be seen popping up all over the land, including this ‘nest’ of mushrooms pictured above right.
Whilst on the farm, I took a few sneaky photos of my Mum and Dad when they were working. Now in their eighties, they continue to lovingly tend the 11.5 acres they’ve been guardians of, for the past 46 years. A place where they’ve raised a family, built a home, grown their own food, raised animals and regenerated the land, achieving something they’d both dreamed of, inspiring myself and others along the way.
Earthstar Blessings,
Pottering in the garden a few weeks ago I stumbled across a little gathering of Earthstar mushrooms. They were located in a semi-circle, nestled in the wood chips, under our Flowering Ash.
I recognised them as soon as I saw them, as with beautiful synchronicity, I had just purchased a beautiful book, Mystical Mushrooms by Aurora Kane a few days earlier, and had been reading about them and other fungi.
With their unique, celestial appearance, Earthstars can be commonly spotted in wooded areas with more than sixty species found worldwide. Fruiting in Autumn, their star-like ‘petals’ peel back, revealing a ‘puff ball’. They then patiently wait for a drop of rain, gentle wind or little creature to release their spores, increasing their family here on Earth.
Wood Chip Pathways,
Chop and dropping our summer annuals and trimming a few perennials has revealed the pathway once again.
At this time of year I like to top up pathways with Arborists’ wood chips helping to support the fungal life (who in turn support the nearby plants), provide good drainage, capture rain and build soil naturally.
Last of the Summer Harvests,
We’ve just harvested the last of our warm season veggies with some cucumber, capsicum and one very late pumpkin. With a spike in temperatures last month, I had a few more pumpkin seedlings germinating from my newly spread compost. I lifted most of the seedlings, returning them to the earth, allowing space for the cool season edibles. All except for one little seedling that caught my eye. Sensing its vitality I left it in the ground, providing a chance for it to produce fruit, before the cold weather set in. As if detecting the urgency of the situation, the little pumpkin seedling quickly grew into a healthy vine and produced a beautiful sized pumpkin weighing in at 2.27kgs at harvest, all within just a few months.
Enchanting Bloom,
I only have a few roses in my potted garden so when they bloom it’s a little extra special. This beautiful, double bloom is a Kordes Hybrid Tea Rose “Kordes Jubilee - Kargotfun”. An old world rose with modern qualities named to celebrate Kordes Roses’ 125th Anniversary.
Til next time, stay cosy,
Alisa🍄🍂