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Fungi are vastly important participants in the soil food web and we are strong believers that without it the quality of our crops is diminished. The soil here in Virginia is often pretty rich with clay and rock and without an initial pass with a tiller it's very difficult to establish a new growing plot. However, because we aim to do more good than harm, we work diligently to help the soil rebound from this necessary act and mycorrhizal inoculant is an important part of that protocol.
Applied directly to the roots of plants at the time of transplant, we have found mycorrhizal innoculant to work very successfully. About a week after transplanting 50 pepper plants we had to adjust their spacing. Upon lifting them from the ground we could already identify the beautiful fuzzy white strands latching onto the roots and reaching outward into the soil, establishing their networking wires. These networks will transfer nutrients, water, and information across plants - an asset to gardening that's achieved no other way. Without further tillage, this network will continue to expand so long as the health of the soil is maintained overall. Very little of the product is used at a time, so a single bottle will last us two years or more (growing in spring, summer, and fall). When all of our beds have an established network we'll no longer need it at all. In addition to the mycorrhizal benefits, the particular brand we've chosen to use also provides plants with a balanced blend of nitrogen (3), phosphorous (1), and potassium (2) at slow release.
Jim Eagen, the marketing manager for Plant Success Organics, who makes the inoculant we've been using, is a well-known name in the field of mycorrhizae, and a regular contributor to Mother Earth News where he educates growers on the benefits of mycorrhizal partnerships in agriculture.
Plant Success Organics Granular Mycorrhizae
While we have found great success with this particular product, and are encouraged by the producers' dedication to sustainability and environmental education, we encourage you to do your own research and find products that work best for the needs of your garden or farm.