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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

Chickens sure are amazing creatures. We have had chickens for as long as we remember. Passing up the opportunity to own a batch of chickens would be really hard to do, especially if you enjoy eggs. You see, many individuals save money from buying eggs simply because they have hens of their own that lay eggs. Does this sound good to you? If so, then there are a number of different things you will need to take into consideration before you go out and get those new pets. First of all, do you know how to build a chicken coop? If not, then we are here to tell you the things you will need.

First of all, before you even get the birds, you need to take the size into consideration. How big do you want you coop to be? Personally, we believe it should be a big one. Many people opt for a smaller one simply so that they can haul it around. If you do not plan on taking you chickens for a ride anywhere, then opt for that bigger one.

For every bird that will be in the coop, you will need to have 4 square feet. In order for the hens to lay more and be stress free, you will need to make it big.

Besides, making the house big is not going to take much more work. Sure, it may take a bit more supplies, but those supplies are actually cheap.

You should take note that chickens are smart and very interesting as they know that when the sun goes down it is time to lay. Whenever those birds get enough sunlight, they could lay up to five eggs each week.

In order to have your birds laying more eggs, placing them in the morning sunlight and having them in a big enclosure will definitely do the job.

When it comes to the material list, you will find that you will not require much. In fact, it is really easy. You will need some wood, mesh wire, hammer and nails. If you are not able to spend much money, then you can use treated pine or even hardwood.

If you are building a big coop, then you will definitely need to build it on site as it will not be easy to transport. In fact, when it comes to do it yourself projects, it is best if you build it on site. Take note that you may need someone to help you when it comes to lifting the walls up and nailing them on the coop. You may also need some assistant on the roof part. If you want to go all out, you could always add some shingles on the house in order to make it last longer. Take note that you will be able to make adjustments to it when you are all done. You will also need to make sure the chickens are secure in their house as they have many predators. Now that you know how to build a chicken coop, it’s time to start making those plans.