Note: I originally put this post on my gardening blog, but transferred it here as well, because it can help people save water!

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I just learned about the many benefits of mycorrhizal fungae last year, and have to say, this stuff really works! I added it to the plants in my front yard and they are now exploding in growth. The orange rose bush I've had for over 15 years suddenly got taller than I've ever seen it, and the pomegranate tree has gotten so much bigger and more bushy... and it has LOTS of flowers on it!

I've added a lot of videos on this page, to show why this stuff is so beneficial for your plants. But the gist is, it tends to make a plants roots bigger, so they can go deeper into the soil and take up more water and nutrients. This means you can use less water and fertilizer!

It was also really interesting to learn that these plant roots can communicate with other nearby plant roots, and work together to help each other out! If there's a plant that really needs water, and it's got roots that are connected to another plant nearby, it can get hydration from it's neighbor!

I've used two different types of mycorrhizae. The first one I ever bought was a small (more affordable) bag of Big Foot mycorrhizae, from Lyngso garden center. I liked that this type also has worm castings, kelp, and biochar in it (plus some other stuff).

Then, my boyfriend Sean bought a larger bag of the Smart Grower brand with 5 strains of mycorrhizae. I started using this type, too, on the same plants, so I can't say which ones are better, but SOMETHING is clearly working well!

More info on the benefits of mycorrhizae, from Google:

Carbon storage:

Mycorrhizal fungi can store a significant amount of carbon within their fungal biomass, contributing to soil organic matter and helping to sequester carbon from the atmosphere.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960982223001677

Mycorrhizal fungi hold CO2 equivalent to a third of global fossil fuel emissions

https://news.mongabay.com/2023/06/mycorrhizal-fungi-hold-co2-equivalent-to-a-third-of-global-fossil-fuel-emissions/

A recent study estimates that more than 13 billion metric tons of CO2 from terrestrial plants are passed on to mycorrhizal fungi each year, equivalent to about 36% of global fossil fuel emissions.
The study highlights the overlooked role of mycorrhizal fungi in storing and transporting carbon underground through their extensive fungal networks
Researchers analyzed nearly 200 data sets from various studies that traced carbon flow and found that plants allocate between 1% and 13% of their carbon to mycorrhizal fungi.
Understanding the role of mycorrhizal fungi is essential for conservation and restoration efforts, as soil degradation and the disruption of soil communities pose significant threats to ecosystems and plant productivity.

Impact on soil health:
By facilitating carbon storage, mycorrhizae can improve soil structure and fertility, enhancing plant growth and ecosystem resilience.

Mycorrhizae help plants save water by absorbing water from the soil and improving soil structure. This allows plants to access more water and reduces water stress, especially during droughts.

How mycorrhizae absorb water

Fine threads: Mycorrhizal hyphae are tiny threads that grow into the soil around the roots.
Sponge-like: The hyphae act like a sponge, absorbing water when it's available and holding onto it for later.
Capture water: The hyphae capture water before gravity moves it through the soil.

How mycorrhizae improve soil structure

Glomalin: Mycorrhizae release a biological glue called glomalin, which improves soil structure.
Aeration: Mycorrhizae improve aeration, which helps water infiltrate the soil.
Erosion: Mycorrhizae reduce erosion and leaching.

Natural leaching

Soil
Rain and irrigation can cause water-soluble plant nutrients to be lost from soil. This can lead to nutrient loss, which can be prevented by considering factors like soil structure, crop planting, and fertilizer application rates.

How mycorrhizae reduce water stress

Drought tolerance: Mycorrhizal fungi help plants tolerate drought.
Stomatal aperture: Mycorrhizal plants regulate their stomatal aperture to avoid excessive water loss.
Biochemical mechanisms: Mycorrhizal fungi help plants use biochemical mechanisms to tolerate drought, such as osmotic adjustment and antioxidant systems.