mycology and zero waste!

 Hedgehog Mushrooms

Our Sustainability Manager, Kenny (who is quite a fun guy), recently had a conversation with a local mycology expert. Kenny had discovered some fungi in the Braes Friendly Growers planter and, upon meeting Elliot, he immediately showed him a photo of it, asking for its identification. Kenny's Seek app suggested it was a mica cap. This sparked an amazing discussion about soil fertilization, food growing, permaculture, gardenising, soil improvement, and the "wood wide web." Elliot is a true genius in this field and offered to help us grow some experimental mushrooms. When he delivered the spores, Kenny took the opportunity to interview him for clarification on how our collaboration will develop.

 The interview - 

The Mushroom Chronicles: An Interview on Mycology Between Fun guy Friends

Kenny: Hey Elliot, thanks for meeting up! I'm still buzzing from our last chat about those mushrooms. What’s the latest with your mycology adventures?

Elliot: No problem, Kenny! I’m excited to share. I just finished up some experiments with hedgehog mushrooms. They’re fascinating fungi! Did you know they’ve got a taste similar to crab paté?

Kenny: That sounds delicious! So, what’s the secret sauce for cultivating these mushrooms? 

Elliot: Well, it all starts with mycelium. You need a solid substrate—something like hardwood mixed with a bit of soya hull. It’s all about creating healthy compost that’s rich in nutrients. 

Kenny: Interesting! So, if I understand correctly, we can use this compost to improve our gardening efforts, right?

Elliot: Exactly! You can incorporate it beneath your topsoil as a kind of mulch. It helps retain moisture and improves soil health. Just remember, the mycelium won’t stick around forever—once it’s done its job, it dies off, but it leaves behind a rich ecosystem.

Kenny: Got it. So, if I toss some of this mycelium into our existing compost pile, will it speed up the process?

Elliot: Absolutely! That’s a great way to boost your compost. The fungi and bacteria will break down organic matter more efficiently, giving you lush compost quicker.

Kenny: What about our wood chip pile we have and our mulch from autumn leaves? Any chance we could throw some of this fungi in there too?

Elliot: Definitely! If you add it to the wood chips, it can help decompose the material faster. You’ll likely get some mushrooms popping up too, but remember, not every fragment will necessarily thrive.

Kenny: So, what if we get mushrooms growing there? Are they edible?

Elliot: Oh, for sure! The hedgehog mushrooms are delicious. Just make sure you know what you’re picking, as not all fungi are safe to eat.

Kenny: I appreciate the heads-up! You mentioned before that you’re experimenting with some gangster Faria mushrooms. How's that going?

Elliot: It’s going well! I’m trying to develop a mycelium blend that can enhance soil fertility, while also potentially yielding a good crop of mushrooms for our allotment. It’s a win-win!

Kenny: Sounds amazing! Which lab are you working at again?

Elliot: I’m with Marvellous Mycology. Our main base is in Falkirk.

Kenny: Wow, I had no idea! That all this knowledge and experimentation was so local, do you think traditional composting methods will evolve in the future?

Elliot: For sure! Your Traditional layering system is great, but I see a future where mycology will play a mulch bigger role (pun intended)

Kenny: That's inspiring! Can’t wait to see how our collaboration unfolds. Let’s get started on this mushroom adventure! we at PCHub with the BFG`s will continue to plan in wormeries and potentially, even mechanically aerated compost machines (these are expensive) to speed up our composting now. As It’s about efficiency and sustainability at the end of the day! Everyday is a school day and we will experiment caringly and respectfully to our ecosystems and learn whats for the greater good for our childrens future 

OK, Elliott. Lastly, on the subject of ecological protection and biodiversity loss, I want to clarify PCHub's environmental ethos. We see ourselves as champions of biodiversity protection and advocates for the growth of native species. We're implementing a significant number of measures to preserve native species and promote biodiversity within and around the hub. We take our responsibility towards the local woodlands and the native species around us very seriously.

Could you provide us with some advice on how to prevent this strain of fungi from entering our local woodlands?

No worries, Kenny. The lion’s mane (hedehog mushrooms) is a tree-growing species that thrives in fresh air. If buried, it will die off, and the surrounding biological activity will take over, so there's nothing to worry about. The key is to ensure that the mushrooms are harvested before they mature and release spores into the air. This not only improves their flavor but also prevents any spores from dispersing into the native environment, which could potentially harm local strains. Any potential outbreak can easily be mitigated by harvesting the mushrooms early and then letting them die off naturally in compost.

Kenny, that sounds like excellent advice. What you’re essentially saying is that as soon as the mushrooms grow big enough, we should eat them. Great advice—thank you very much, Elliott!

Elliot: Absolutely! It’s going to be a fun journey. Let’s make some magic happen with those fungi!