Mycorrhiza in your soil and why you will want more of it

May 27, 2022
May 27, 2022 Jeff Cleator

Mycorrhiza in your soil and why you will want more of it

I know that’s an odd way to start talking about soil health but hear me out. Our soils tend to be pretty poor and often lack enough Mycorrhiza to be beneficial to your plants. So we need to boost the levels of these beneficial fungi to aid in root development especially in new housing developments where the soil has been demolished. 

So why would you want to add Mycorrhiza and how do you incorporate them back into your soil. Mycorrhiza work by creating a symbiotic relationship between fungi and plant roots. This vast network of spores in the soil greatly enhances surface area of the roots which in turn results in improved nutrient acquisition and uptake by the plants. It also aids in reduced need for fertilizers, improved resistance to wilt, root rot and salt toxicity among a host of other beneficial side effects. The best way to get them into your soil is to incorporate Mycorrhizae into your backfill or directly applied to the roots of the planting. Direct root contact is essential for the best results, as it holds the best odds for colonization and success. I would also recommend adding a bit to the root ball itself during planting for that extra boost. For established gardens you can add Mycorrhiza to the drip line cover well with mulch. Mycorrhizae cannot survive when exposed to sunlight.

No matter if you leave in Point Loma or South Park adding Mycorrhiza to your garden will be an easy task with huge benefits so don’t wait and add some of these fungi today. 

If you have any additional questions or are interested in a landscape design please don’t hesitate to contract Cleator Landscape Design at 619 917 3644