What’s that moldy stuff?

Fuzzy, light-colored fungal growth to the right of the seedlings

If you’ve had us refresh your garden, you may have noticed some white, fibrous, mold-like material appearing in the soil about a week later. It can look a little strange or even concerning at first, but there’s no need to worry. What you’re seeing is the Microlife pellets waking up and beginning to do their job of keeping your soil healthy for your plants.

Microlife is a local, Houston-based brand of organic fertilizer that we love. We use it in all the gardens we build and maintain, as well as in our own. The 6-2-4 pellets contain billions of beneficial microbes and fungi, along with hundreds of nutrients that support plant growth and health. The white, fibrous material you see is fungal growth that’s activated by water. As it spreads through the soil, it helps your plants’ roots absorb water and nutrients more effectively.

If you find the appearance a little unsightly, you can simply mix it into the top few inches of soil. It will continue doing its job just the same.

The pellets also have a slightly pungent smell, reminiscent of old shoes. While I wouldn’t want to wear it as a perfume, I find it oddly comforting. It reminds me of growth and renewal. It means my plants are getting what they need to thrive and produce food I can eat. When I think of it that way, I don’t mind if it smells a little salty or looks a little moldy—that’s just the soil amendments doing exactly what they’re meant to do.

To read more about how Microlife products work, please visit their website: Microlife.