Nature for Absolute Beginners: Fungi in my Garden
|
|
Over the years I observed that there were fungi in my garden, but didn't take much notice, except for the Fly Agarics (above and below) that rose beneath my silver birch tree every autumn in huge fairytale groups. The Orange Grisettes (Amanita crocea) above right, also fruit beneath the silver birch, so it becomes a very colourful part of the garden in autumn.
However, as my interest in fungi grew over the past year, I have been trawling my garden on a daily basis to see what is coming up and how it develops. I am amazed because I had no idea my garden was so rich. The lawn is mowed regularly which enables the fungi to grow, and it is not treated with pesticides or fertilisers, so is a perfect environment for these gorgeous fruiting bodies.
I have been on a number of fungi forays with Professor Richard Fortey, and suggested he and his wife come to my garden to have a look, which they did in October. You can read about our morning in the following article, which was published in The Henley Standard on 10 December 2021.
However, as my interest in fungi grew over the past year, I have been trawling my garden on a daily basis to see what is coming up and how it develops. I am amazed because I had no idea my garden was so rich. The lawn is mowed regularly which enables the fungi to grow, and it is not treated with pesticides or fertilisers, so is a perfect environment for these gorgeous fruiting bodies.
I have been on a number of fungi forays with Professor Richard Fortey, and suggested he and his wife come to my garden to have a look, which they did in October. You can read about our morning in the following article, which was published in The Henley Standard on 10 December 2021.
