Featured Fungus... wait! Not a fungus!

SLIME MOLD

Slime molds are amoeba-like protists, similar to fungi.  They exist in nature as a plasmodium, a 'blob' of protoplasm without cell walls and only a cell membrane to keep everything in. -fungi have cell walls!

They are not parasitic, so they will not cause direct harm to your plants or your family. Occasionally they can cause problems on lawns or low-growing ground covers by blocking the necessary sunlight that plants need to grow, but in most cases they are completely harmless. They feed on microorganisms in dead plant material -decomposers!

Enjoy the diversity of Nature!  Slime molds indicate an abundance of organic matter and they are very short lived!

Permaculture Principle of Relative Location

Relative Location:  'through proper placement of elements we can save time and energy'

In these Before and After photos we illustrate a sheet mulched turf area that has been beautified, diversified and rejuvinated in an relatively simple manner... to grow food for family and friends (all friends -2, 4, 6, 8 legged and more!)

The spiral provides easy access to the  growing area from all sides plus the beauty of a spiral in Zone 1-2.  Plants are grown with aspect in mind; shade tolerant plants to the northern edges.  The potatoes are grown vertically saving space for succession of the edible forest garden in the subcanopy beyond.

FYI: a south facing slope (aspect) increases heat absorption extending the growing season for food production and warming homes/ greenhouses in colder months...

Start small and build on success