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market-farming - Re: [Market-farming] mushrooms

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Subject: Market Farming

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  • From: Matt Cheselka <cheselka AT theriver.com>
  • To: Market Farming <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] mushrooms
  • Date: Wed, 5 May 2004 15:16:36 -0700 (MST)

On Wed, 5 May 2004 IdleThymeFarm AT aol.com wrote:

> Matt, I am in the high desert and we get very little rain and have very
> hot sun and intense winds so I too use alot of straw mulch. I almost
> always have mushrooms growing from my mulch and have never experienced
> any negative effects. As a matter of fact if I remember correctly from
> all of my soil studies this winter, the fungi is healthy for the soil.
> Wait until you have grown on these beds with all the mulch for a few
> seasons, you will notice a massive difference in your soil. The straw
> mulch also contributes to the microbial life in your soil. I would not
> grow without it!

Shelly,

Thanks for the info. In the back of my head I, too, recall that the sign
of mushrooms is a good thing, but I'd like to understand that better if
possible. Perhaps even getting into the *kind* and *amount* of mushrooms
being an indicator of soil health.

Yes, mulch is awesome and has more benefits than just keeping the
moisture in. However, I've had to remind myself that heat-loving plants
like tomatoes, melons, cukes, and squash, need to have warm roots. So I
clear about an 18-inch diameter circle around each plant so the sunlight
can warm up the soil.

What elevation are you? My 'Homefront Garden' is at about 3500ft, while
my 'Whetstone Garden' is at about 4100ft.

Thanks again,

Matt Cheselka
Cosmic Lettuce





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