Know your Garden Microbes : Nostoc As gardeners, we often focus on the macro aspects of our garden such as the plants, trees, and shrubs. But, what about the tiny microbes that play a vital role in the health of our gardens? Today, we are going to focus on a particular type of bacteria that is often overlooked: Nostoc. What is Nostoc? N ostoc is a jelly-like microorganism commonly found growing on soggy lawns. While the discovery of the creature might be frightening for some gardeners, it poses no threat to plants or animals in the environment. Because the Nostoc grows in places where grass does not, it is likely to fill in any gaps left by the grass. Evidence of an imbalance in the ratio of fungus to bacteria can be easily identified. Figure 1: Nostoc Growing in the Garden. It was once believed that these strange-looking masses of matter came from the dust of shooting stars, which gave rise to the nicknames star jelly, star shot, and star slime beca...
A Beginner's Guide to Cultivating Oyster Mushrooms Using Organic Woody Waste Have you ever wondered how you can cultivate oyster mushrooms using organic woody waste? Look no further, as we guide you through the simple process of growing your own mushrooms at home. Are you looking for an eco-friendly way to use up your organic waste and grow your own food? Discover the world of mushroom cultivation using woody substrates and learn how to get started. Sustainable living doesn't have to be complicated. With just a few basic materials and a little know-how, you can start growing oyster mushrooms using organic waste and enjoy the delicious benefits of home-grown produce. Read this further … Cultivating oyster mushrooms with organic woody waste is a sustainable and cost-effective way to produce this popular edible fungus. Oyster mushrooms can grow on a variety of substrates, including wood chips, pine needles, groundnut covers, wheat straw/bran, rice straw, dry sugarcane waste, and ...