Silver Creek Nursery Blog

Mycorrhizal Fungi (A mindful alternative to Black Friday chaos)

Silver Creek Nursery Blog

Mycorrhizal Fungi (A mindful alternative to Black Friday chaos)

by Zack Muma on Nov 25 2025
Let's Celebrate GREEN FRIDAY:  Why Mycorrhizal Fungi Are the Best Investment You Can Make in Your Soil  While Black Friday is all about doorbusters and discounts, Green Friday invites us to slow down, think sustainably, and choose investments that actually give something back to the planet. And what gives back more generously than mycorrhizal fungi—the tiny soil allies that quietly supercharge plant health, soil integrity, and long-term garden resilience!? **(Mycorrhizal refers to the symbiotic relationship between a fungus and a plant's roots, where both organisms benefit.) Let’s dig deeper, folks. Instead of buying gadgets destined for the landfill, consider supporting what really sustains us: healthy soil. Yes, we are doing our nerdy soil dance, over here… Here's why adding mycorrhizal fungi to your garden or landscape is the smartest “Green Friday” investment you can make. Mycorrhizal Fungi Multiply Your Garden’s Nutrient Efficiency Plants and mycorrhizal fungi form one of nature’s most powerful partnerships. These fungi expand the plant’s root system by up to **100–1000 times**, creating an underground network that pulls in: Phosphorus Nitrogen Water Micronutrients like zinc + copper With a stronger nutrient pipeline, plants grow more vigorously—naturally. Did you know that over-applying phosphorus fertilizer can inhibit mycorrhizal fungi? When phosphorous fertilizer is over applied, plants don’t want to spend energy feeding mycorrhizal when they have more than enough right there.  Plants can release antifungal compounds when phosphorus is too high in the soil as well. They Dramatically Boost Water Retention Drought stress is becoming more common, and plants need all the help they can get. Mycorrhizae improve soil structure and increase a plant’s ability to hold and absorb water. That means: Better drought tolerance Fewer watering needs More resilient gardens/trees A Green Friday win for your plants & our water bill!! Healthier Plants = Better Blooms, Bigger Harvests Whether you're growing vegetables, fruiting shrubs, perennials, or trees, adding mycorrhizal fungi promotes: Higher yields Faster establishment Stronger flowering Richer flavor development It's like giving your garden a natural upgrade—without synthetic fertilizers or harsh inputs. Natural Pest & Stress Resistance The presence of mycorrhizal fungi help plants: Resist soil pathogens Withstand transplant shock Better handle temperature extremes Build long-term immunity This underground support system offers continuous protection—all season long. The Ultimate Green Friday Choice: Soil Regeneration Every time you use mycorrhizal inoculants, you’re participating in living regeneration as these fungi are involved in: Build humus Increase carbon storage Improve soil texture Encourage beneficial microbes Mycorrhizal Fungi provides phosphorus by up to 10 000x more than plant roots! They help plants access water and other nutrients like nitrogen, zinc, manganese and copper. Instead of consuming more, you’re restoring more. We are offering our readers to take advantage of our Green Friday promotion, this is the perfect weekend to stock up on: * Mycorrhizal inoculants - 40% OFF Root Rescue  * Soil enhancers  (TM-7 Humic Acid) * Microbial blends  (TerraBiosa) * You can also take a look at regenerative how-to books: https://www.thepermaculturestudent.com/shop/regenerative-soil-science-amp-solutions-manual-pre-order Or this one by Michael Phillips - available from us! These are purchases that pay you back in healthier soil for years.       When you are ready to plant, you can follow our QUICK START GUIDE: 1.        Do a root dip at the time of planting: The 22.5g of Root Rescue is good for about 10 trees and the 45g is good for 20-25. We recommend taking about a tablespoon, adding it to a 5gal pail, adding a small amount of soil (preferably clay, so the spores stick to the roots better), and then filling it with water to create a slurry. Then dip the trees in the mix before planting them to inoculate the roots.  Once the trees are all planted, fill the bucket with water again and use it as a soil drench to make the most of the mixture. 2.        Use a holistic spray with effective microbes and liquid fish on the soil after planting to help support fungi and beneficial bacteria 3.        Add mulch and organic matter to feed fungi over time   Fungi like higher CARBON:NITROGEN ratio material; doing the above will lead to better soil structure, increased organic matter and better water retention.   Happy roots = happy shoots!