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Mycelium Running by Paul Stamets has been the perpetual best-seller on popular mycology since published in 2005. It’s an indispensible reference book for anybody working the land, especially foresters, farmers and environmental cleanup contractors. It’s also a great book for anyone interested in growing their own food mushrooms.

Mycelium Running is filled to the brim with useful tips on things such as using mushrooms to improve soils and boost productivity in forestry and farming (gardening) with decreased use of expensive fertilizers and pesticides; filtering waste-water (mycofiltration); and clean up toxic waste from the land (mycoremediation).

As an example, a method for building a mycofiltration bed to filter waste water is described in exacting detail. Dimensions, depth, layers and recommended materials and mushrooms are listed. This mycofiltration is useful, among other things, for filtering manure enriched farm runoff.

An added benefit of using mycofiltration beds on farms include the production of delicious food mushrooms, which sprout out of these beds. And every 2-3 years, the material in the bed can be dug out and used as a rich fertilizer on the fields of the farm.

Another piece of useful information for farmers and gardeners found in Mycelium Running concerns the no-till farming method as opposed to the conventional method of plowing the fields after harvest. No-till farming helps promote saprophytic fungi (decomposing fungi), which break down organic material at a pace better suited to plant-life than the rapid and heat producing breakdown by anaerobic bacteria, which are the primary decomposers when stubble is plowed under. The mycelium of saprophytic fungi also binds the soil to prevent erosion and loss of valuable nutrients.

For forestry, not only do saprophytic fungi help break down and recycle organic matter. They also help combat many parasitic fungi (blights) that may kill large numbers of trees. Stamets gives useful suggestions on how to seed beneficial saprophytic fungi in blight infested forests as a natural “fungicide,” fighting fire with fire, so to speak.

The symbiotic mycorrhizal fungi can also be seeded in forests to promote healthy trees. Or they can be protected and naturally promoted through wise and informed forest management.

Most plants form symbiotic relationships with mushrooms. The mushroom mycelium more effectively absorbs water and nutrients, exchanged with trees for sugars, making the trees healthier and more drought resistant. Mycorrhizal fungi also provide trees with natural antibiotics against pathogens.

Mushroom mycelium can also be utilized to clean up toxic waste sites through a method known as mycoremediation. The term was invented by the author of Mycelium Running, Paul Stamets, but was in common use before the publication of this book.

Synthetic toxic compounds including petrochemicals, dioxins, neurotoxins, toxic industrial waste and much more can be effectively broken down by fungi into harmless compounds. Bacterial contaminants such E. coli can be killed by anti-bacterial compounds excreted by the fungi. And toxic levels of heavy metals may be absorbed and concentrated by mushrooms, which can then be harvested and safely deposed.

Mycoremediation has also been shown to be the most economical method of cleaning up toxic waste sites, up to 95% cheaper than some common conventional methods.

This plethora of information is merely the first half of this 300-page tome. Part III, which makes up the second half of the book, is an instruction manual on how to cultivate your own mushroom mycelium, which can be used for the above listed purposes, or to grow your own medicinal or culinary mushrooms. And seriously, who doesn’t love gourmet mushrooms? In other words, this is a reference book for every household.

Dr. Markho Rafael has worked in natural health since finishing Chiropractic College in’96. He currently specializes in medicinal mushrooms, frequently consulting two reference books: Mycelium Running by Paul Stamets for medicinal, biological and chemical properties of mushrooms, and Mushrooms Demystified by David Arora as the most complete identification guide of American mushrooms.

categories: mushrooms,ecology,environmental,agriculture,farm,farming,garden,landscaping,tree,horse,chicken,biology,herbs,nature

A septic system is an underground wastewater treatment system. These systems are used to treat and dispose of on-site household wastewater. When you use a septic system, there is maintenance required in order to keep your system running efficiently. One important maintenance procedure is having a septic tank pumped.

The septic tank is a waterproof box that is normally made of concrete or fiberglass. The tank contains an enter and exit pipe. Wastewater flows from the home to the septic tank through the sewer pipe. The waste is cleansed and clean water is sent to the underground water table.

How often a septic tank is pumped depends on the size of the tank. It is recommended that you clean your septic by having it pumped every 1 to 3 years. Many experts say that for a 1000 gallon septic tank, it should be pumped every 3 years. You also have to factor in how many rooms and the number of people living in the home. The more a tank is used, the shorter the period between pumping the tank.

When you have your tank pumped, you will be emptying it out, and therefore you will be getting rid of bacteria that consume the waste. You may want to get a box of ’starter’ or activation bacteria and flush into down the septic pipes. They will thrive in the conditions once the pumped tank is in use again. It is important to never use products such as bleach, detergent, and other chemicals because it can damage the septic system as well as kill the bacteria. As well, do not flush foods such as fats, and oils which can also damage the system. Other larger and solid foods can cause blockage in your septic drain lines. You should never put anything in the drain line that can harm the environment.

Each septic tanks system can hold a specific quantity of waste so it is important to make sure you are not exceeding the capacity by sending non essential substances through the septic drain lines. You should also practice water conservation techniques. Toilets are now available that are designed to use less water. They are more powerful and can flush everything usually once. You can also buy a water meter to measure your water use. If your sewage treatment system is reaching its maximum capacity, try to cut back on water use for such activities as washing clothes, dishes, running baths, and flushing the toilet too much. Check your pipes in the home on a regular basis to make there are no leaks and make sure your toilet is not constantly running.

Following a few easy maintenance tasks and having your septic tank pumped, you will preserve the septic system for many years. As well, using natural substances to treat waste water makes the system environmentally friendly. Having a septic tank replaced is extremely expensive so why not avoid the financial hardship by properly using and maintaining your septic system.