It’s been a wet summer and fall, and mushrooms seem to be popping up everywhere! But what are all these strange and colorful fungi doing in our yards and gardens? Let’s take a closer look at the mushrooms we’re seeing, discover why they appear when the weather gets wet, and uncover the surprising ways fungi help keep soil healthy. From breaking down leaves and other organic matter to recycling nutrients and teaming up with plant roots, fungi play important roles in our ecosystems, helping decompose organic matter, support plant growth, and keep nutrients moving through the soil.

Jim Chatfield is an Associate Professor and Extension Specialist with Ohio State University Extension, where he has spent decades sharing his passion for plants, plant health, and horticulture. Known for his extraordinary teaching ability, Jim makes even the most complicated horticultural topics fun, engaging, and memorable. When he’s not talking plants, you may find him enjoying one of his other great passions: rock ’n’ roll!

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Nature in My Backyard is administered by Ohio Native Plants with support from
Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland, Shaker Lakes Garden Club
and the Master Gardener Volunteers of Cuyahoga County.