{"id":213420,"date":"2025-04-29T20:08:14","date_gmt":"2025-04-29T20:08:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/agriculture\/growing-mushrooms-to-improve-the-soil-how-it-works\/"},"modified":"2025-04-29T20:08:14","modified_gmt":"2025-04-29T20:08:14","slug":"growing-mushrooms-to-improve-the-soil-how-it-works","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=213420","title":{"rendered":"Growing Mushrooms to Improve the Soil: How it Works"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>When you think of improving the soil, you may imagine planting cover crops or <strong>utilizing minimal tillage systems<\/strong> that allow microorganisms to thrive. And while these practices can help make the soil a better home for cash crops, growing mushrooms provides <strong>benefits besides tasty fungi<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>While cultivated edible mushrooms are often <a href=\"https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/2021\/03\/the-untapped-potential-of-mushrooms\/\">grown indoors<\/a>, adding the right species of fungi to your gardens can help improve the soil while offering you a valuable product. These fungi can help<strong> break down organic matter<\/strong>, making nutrients more available to plants. They also improve structure, <strong>prevent erosion<\/strong>, and support other microbes that benefit plants.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"h2\">The Soil-Improving Benefits of Mushrooms<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019ve ever seen fungi help break down a mulch pile, you already recognize how they can improve soil. Here are <strong>a few ways mushrooms can benefit soil health<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"h3\">Decomposition of Organic Matter<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_167373\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-167373\" style=\"width: 1280px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" data-dominant-color=\"706650\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #706650;\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-167373 size-full not-transparent\" alt=\"Thin stems and wide, flat, white caps grow in a garden bed among dry leaves and branches.\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Mushrooms-among-dry-leaves.webp 1280w, https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Mushrooms-among-dry-leaves-560x315.webp 560w, https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Mushrooms-among-dry-leaves-1200x675.webp 1200w, https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Mushrooms-among-dry-leaves-768x432.webp 768w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" src=\"https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Mushrooms-among-dry-leaves.webp\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" data-dominant-color=\"706650\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #706650;\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-167373 size-full not-transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Mushrooms-among-dry-leaves.webp\" alt=\"Thin stems and wide, flat, white caps grow in a garden bed among dry leaves and branches.\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Mushrooms-among-dry-leaves.webp 1280w, https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Mushrooms-among-dry-leaves-560x315.webp 560w, https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Mushrooms-among-dry-leaves-1200x675.webp 1200w, https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Mushrooms-among-dry-leaves-768x432.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\"\/><\/p>\n<p><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-167373\" class=\"wp-caption-text\" style=\"background-color:#1e713720\">Leaf piles shrink quickly once decomposition kicks into gear.<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Decomposers are any organisms that help <strong>break down dead material<\/strong> and return nutrients into the surrounding environment. Insects like pill bugs and millipedes complete this work, as do many bacteria and protozoa. However, saprophytic fungi also play a big role in breaking down leaf litter, animal feces, and other \u2018waste\u2019 material.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Varieties like <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/shop.epicgardening.com\/products\/organic-wine-cap-mushroom-sawdust-spawn\"><strong>wine caps<\/strong><\/a>, <strong>shitakes<\/strong>, and <strong>oysters<\/strong> feed on carbonaceous materials like <strong>wood chips and leaves<\/strong>. As the fungi break the items into smaller particles, plants are eventually able to uptake nutrients. In essence, these fungi help break down materials that you may first put into a compost pile or shredder.<\/p>\n<p class=\"h3\">Improved Structure<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_167374\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-167374\" style=\"width: 1280px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" data-dominant-color=\"5c5751\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #5c5751;\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-167374 size-full not-transparent\" alt=\"White oyster mushrooms emerge from moist, dark brown soil in the garden.\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/White-oyster-mushroom.webp 1280w, https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/White-oyster-mushroom-560x315.webp 560w, https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/White-oyster-mushroom-1200x675.webp 1200w, https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/White-oyster-mushroom-768x432.webp 768w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" src=\"https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/White-oyster-mushroom.webp\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" data-dominant-color=\"5c5751\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #5c5751;\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-167374 size-full not-transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/White-oyster-mushroom.webp\" alt=\"White oyster mushrooms emerge from moist, dark brown soil in the garden.\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/White-oyster-mushroom.webp 1280w, https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/White-oyster-mushroom-560x315.webp 560w, https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/White-oyster-mushroom-1200x675.webp 1200w, https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/White-oyster-mushroom-768x432.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\"\/><\/p>\n<p><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-167374\" class=\"wp-caption-text\" style=\"background-color:#1e713720\">Underground threads gently tug dirt clumps apart, naturally reducing compaction.<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p>A soil\u2019s structure is just as important as the nutrients it contains. Compaction can lead to <strong>poor water percolation<\/strong> and <strong>associated runoff<\/strong>, while loose soils are prone to erosion. While we\u2019re often interested in the fruiting bodies of fungi, some also have a vast underground network of root-like mycelium.<\/p>\n<p>These mycelium <strong>help hold the soil in place<\/strong>\u00a0while breaking it up into small aggregates. This results in improved water retention, drainage, aeration, and resistance to erosion.<\/p>\n<p class=\"h3\">Feeds the Food Web<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_167375\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-167375\" style=\"width: 1280px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" data-dominant-color=\"7a6554\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #7a6554;\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-167375 size-full not-transparent\" alt=\"Close up of a gardener scooping soil into a glass test tube in a garden bed with a growing wine cap.\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Taking-a-soil-fungi-sample.webp 1280w, https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Taking-a-soil-fungi-sample-560x315.webp 560w, https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Taking-a-soil-fungi-sample-1200x675.webp 1200w, https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Taking-a-soil-fungi-sample-768x432.webp 768w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" src=\"https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Taking-a-soil-fungi-sample.webp\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" data-dominant-color=\"7a6554\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #7a6554;\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-167375 size-full not-transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Taking-a-soil-fungi-sample.webp\" alt=\"Close up of a gardener scooping soil into a glass test tube in a garden bed with a growing wine cap.\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Taking-a-soil-fungi-sample.webp 1280w, https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Taking-a-soil-fungi-sample-560x315.webp 560w, https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Taking-a-soil-fungi-sample-1200x675.webp 1200w, https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Taking-a-soil-fungi-sample-768x432.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\"\/><\/p>\n<p><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-167375\" class=\"wp-caption-text\" style=\"background-color:#1e713720\">Mushroom secretions fuel a hidden neighborhood of life.<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p>As fungi grow, they release exudates like <strong>carbohydrates<\/strong>, <strong>amino<\/strong> <strong>acids<\/strong>, and <strong>enzymes<\/strong>. These particles feed other soil life, helping bacteria and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S2001037020303895\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">archaea<\/a> thrive.\u00a0 The fungi also help support other microbes by creating a structure where they can thrive.<\/p>\n<p class=\"h3\">Help Plants Thrive<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_167377\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-167377\" style=\"width: 1280px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" data-dominant-color=\"685c53\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #685c53;\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-167377 size-full not-transparent\" alt=\"White, thread-like fungal mycelium spreads across the dark, moist surface of the soil.\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Fungal-mycelium.webp 1280w, https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Fungal-mycelium-560x315.webp 560w, https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Fungal-mycelium-1200x675.webp 1200w, https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Fungal-mycelium-768x432.webp 768w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" src=\"https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Fungal-mycelium.webp\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" data-dominant-color=\"685c53\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #685c53;\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-167377 size-full not-transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Fungal-mycelium.webp\" alt=\"White, thread-like fungal mycelium spreads across the dark, moist surface of the soil.\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Fungal-mycelium.webp 1280w, https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Fungal-mycelium-560x315.webp 560w, https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Fungal-mycelium-1200x675.webp 1200w, https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Fungal-mycelium-768x432.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\"\/><\/p>\n<p><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-167377\" class=\"wp-caption-text\" style=\"background-color:#1e713720\">Mycelial threads help plants communicate and share what they need.<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p>If you want to naturally remove toxins from the soil, you can use mushrooms to help with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sare.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/Quick-Guide-Mushroom-Bioremediation.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">bioremediation<\/a>. Some strains, like wine caps, use their mycelium to trap and absorb pollutants. If you haven\u2019t heard about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalforests.org\/blog\/underground-mycorrhizal-network\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">mycelial networks<\/a>, get ready to be amazed. Many fungi form <strong>underground threads of mycelium<\/strong> that weave together with plant roots. These mycelium act as a type of phone system that allows plants to send messages and share resources.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The networks often occur naturally, existing even where we rarely see mushrooms. While few edible species produce these mycelium, you can inoculate your garden with <strong>fungal-rich compost<\/strong> to spur the development of these networks.<\/p>\n<p class=\"h2\">Should You Grow Mushrooms or Let Native Fungi Do the Work?<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_167378\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-167378\" style=\"width: 1280px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" data-dominant-color=\"69644b\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #69644b;\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-167378 size-full not-transparent\" alt=\"Wild Spring Fieldcaps on the soil\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Wild-Spring-Fieldcap-mushrooms.webp 1280w, https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Wild-Spring-Fieldcap-mushrooms-560x315.webp 560w, https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Wild-Spring-Fieldcap-mushrooms-1200x675.webp 1200w, https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Wild-Spring-Fieldcap-mushrooms-768x432.webp 768w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" src=\"https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Wild-Spring-Fieldcap-mushrooms.webp\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" data-dominant-color=\"69644b\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #69644b;\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-167378 size-full not-transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Wild-Spring-Fieldcap-mushrooms.webp\" alt=\"Wild Spring Fieldcaps on the soil\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Wild-Spring-Fieldcap-mushrooms.webp 1280w, https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Wild-Spring-Fieldcap-mushrooms-560x315.webp 560w, https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Wild-Spring-Fieldcap-mushrooms-1200x675.webp 1200w, https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Wild-Spring-Fieldcap-mushrooms-768x432.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\"\/><\/p>\n<p><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-167378\" class=\"wp-caption-text\" style=\"background-color:#1e713720\">Saprophytes feed the system but don\u2019t build root alliances.<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Now that you know the benefits that mushrooms play in soil health, the question is whether you should cultivate specific types or let native fungi take over. The answer depends on your circumstances and wishes.<\/p>\n<p>First, know that <strong>not all mushrooms are created equal<\/strong>. Most of the edible types that we grow are <a href=\"https:\/\/fungimap.org.au\/about-fungi\/saprophytic-fungi\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">saprophytic<\/a>, meaning they break down dead material. While this is great for adding nutrients, these species don\u2019t form mycorrhizal networks that improve structure and help plants communicate.<\/p>\n<p>On the other hand, few native mycorrhizal fungi produce tasty mushrooms, and many never produce any fruiting bodies above the ground. So, if you hope to grow mushrooms for harvest <i>and<\/i> soil health, don\u2019t count on these native fungi. Growing both <strong>cultivated and wild fungi<\/strong> often helps you take advantage of all the benefits fungi have to offer. Limiting tillage, inoculating with biologically rich compost, and adding organic matter to the soil can all help fungal populations thrive.<\/p>\n<p class=\"h2\">How to Grow Mushrooms Alongside Crops<\/p>\n<p>If you want to grow mushrooms to improve the soil and harvest the fruits, you don\u2019t have to wait until your fields are empty to start. Since sought-after edible varieties like <a href=\"https:\/\/shop.epicgardening.com\/products\/organic-shiitake-mushroom-sawdust-spawn\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">shiitake<\/a>, wine caps, and oysters feed on dead material, you can <strong>plant them alongside your plants<\/strong>. Here are a few ways to do so.<\/p>\n<p class=\"h3\">Inoculated Wood Chip Paths<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_167379\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-167379\" style=\"width: 1280px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" data-dominant-color=\"857a4c\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #857a4c;\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-167379 size-full not-transparent\" alt=\"In a garden bed with mulched aisles, light brown mushrooms with white stems grow along the crops.\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Mulched-aisles-with-wood-chips.webp 1280w, https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Mulched-aisles-with-wood-chips-560x315.webp 560w, https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Mulched-aisles-with-wood-chips-1200x675.webp 1200w, https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Mulched-aisles-with-wood-chips-768x432.webp 768w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" src=\"https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Mulched-aisles-with-wood-chips.webp\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" data-dominant-color=\"857a4c\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #857a4c;\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-167379 size-full not-transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Mulched-aisles-with-wood-chips.webp\" alt=\"In a garden bed with mulched aisles, light brown mushrooms with white stems grow along the crops.\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Mulched-aisles-with-wood-chips.webp 1280w, https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Mulched-aisles-with-wood-chips-560x315.webp 560w, https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Mulched-aisles-with-wood-chips-1200x675.webp 1200w, https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Mulched-aisles-with-wood-chips-768x432.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\"\/><\/p>\n<p><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-167379\" class=\"wp-caption-text\" style=\"background-color:#1e713720\">A damp walkway of wood chips keeps mushrooms thriving.<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p>If you have the walkways between your beds mulched with wood chips, you can inoculate the area with <strong>wine cap spawn<\/strong>. They will feed on the decaying wood and produce deep red fruiting bodies. Be aware that wine caps will remain happiest when the wood chips are kept moist.<\/p>\n<p class=\"h3\">Add to Compost Pile<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_167402\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-167402\" style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" data-dominant-color=\"443d2b\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #443d2b;\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-167402 size-full not-transparent\" alt=\"Oyster mushrooms growing in wood chips and on old logs\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/shutterstock_2490702643-1.webp 1000w, https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/shutterstock_2490702643-1-519x346.webp 519w, https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/shutterstock_2490702643-1-768x512.webp 768w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" src=\"https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/shutterstock_2490702643-1.webp\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" data-dominant-color=\"443d2b\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #443d2b;\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-167402 size-full not-transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/shutterstock_2490702643-1.webp\" alt=\"Oyster mushrooms growing in wood chips and on old logs\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/shutterstock_2490702643-1.webp 1000w, https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/shutterstock_2490702643-1-519x346.webp 519w, https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/shutterstock_2490702643-1-768x512.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"\/><\/p>\n<p><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-167402\" class=\"wp-caption-text\" style=\"background-color:#1e713720\">Delicious oyster mushrooms grow well on old logs or in wood chips.<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p>If you have a pile of woodchips you\u2019re working to compost, you can<strong> add <a href=\"https:\/\/shop.epicgardening.com\/products\/organic-blue-oyster-spray-grow-mushroom-growing-kit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">oyster spawn<\/a><\/strong> to speed up the process and provide you with a delicious harvest. While oysters naturally grow on dead logs and trees, they can also grow well in straw, woodchips, or other carbonaceous materials.<\/p>\n<p>Keeping the pile shaded and moist will provide the optimum conditions for the fungi. You may not see mushrooms for over a year, but the fungi will be at work breaking down organic material.<\/p>\n<p class=\"h2\">Grow and Maintain Fungi for Improved Soil Health<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_167381\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-167381\" style=\"width: 1280px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" data-dominant-color=\"b3a17f\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #b3a17f;\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-167381 size-full not-transparent\" alt=\"A woman's hand holds a cluster of oyster mushrooms with short white stems and brown caps, with fresh soil, against a blurred green background.\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/mushrooms-oyster.webp 1280w, https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/mushrooms-oyster-560x315.webp 560w, https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/mushrooms-oyster-1200x675.webp 1200w, https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/mushrooms-oyster-768x432.webp 768w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" src=\"https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/mushrooms-oyster.webp\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" data-dominant-color=\"b3a17f\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #b3a17f;\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-167381 size-full not-transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/mushrooms-oyster.webp\" alt=\"A woman's hand holds a cluster of oyster mushrooms with short white stems and brown caps, with fresh soil, against a blurred green background.\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/mushrooms-oyster.webp 1280w, https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/mushrooms-oyster-560x315.webp 560w, https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/mushrooms-oyster-1200x675.webp 1200w, https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/mushrooms-oyster-768x432.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\"\/><\/p>\n<p><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-167381\" class=\"wp-caption-text\" style=\"background-color:#1e713720\">Even without planting a thing, fungi will show up.<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p>While growing mushrooms can improve soil health, it\u2019s important to remember that native mycorrhizal fungi are just as important as cultivated varieties! Even if you don\u2019t plan to grow mushrooms in your garden,<a href=\"https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/2013\/08\/7-facts-till-farming\/\"><strong> limiting tillage<\/strong><\/a> and<strong> adding organic matter<\/strong> can help fungi thrive.<\/p>\n<div class=\"mfo-wysiwyg-custom-cta the-untapped-potential-of-mushrooms\">\n<div class=\"mfo-wysiwyg-custom-cta-flex\" style=\"background-color:#1e713710\">\n<p><a class=\"full\" title=\"The Untapped Potential of Mushrooms\" href=\"https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/2021\/03\/the-untapped-potential-of-mushrooms\/\">full_link<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex\">\n<p class=\"title mfo-wysiwyg-custom-cta-title h1\" style=\"color:#1e7137\">The Untapped Potential of Mushrooms<\/p>\n<div class=\"description\">\n<p><span style=\"color: #122108; font-family: Inter, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; background-color: #fdfff7;\">An excerpt from \u2018In Search of Mycotopia,\u2019 a new book about the transformative power of mushrooms and the people leading the modern mycological movement.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><!-- #comments -->\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When you think of improving the soil, you may imagine planting cover crops or utilizing minimal tillage systems that allow microorganisms to thrive. And while these practices can help make the soil a better home for cash crops, growing mushrooms provides benefits besides tasty fungi.\u00a0 While cultivated edible mushrooms are often grown indoors, adding the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":213421,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12026],"tags":[12667,12638,23581,14523,1232],"dealstore":[],"offerexpiration":[],"class_list":["post-213420","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-agriculture","tag-growing","tag-improve","tag-mushrooms","tag-soil","tag-works"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Growing Mushrooms to Improve the Soil: How it Works - Som2ny Network<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=213420\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Growing Mushrooms to Improve the Soil: How it Works - Som2ny Network\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"When you think of improving the soil, you may imagine planting cover crops or utilizing minimal tillage systems that allow microorganisms to thrive. 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