How to make trees capture even more carbon
Empathy rootgrow is another product review from the Garden Press Event – and one that we all should be aware of in our battle to be carbon neutral.
Trees are on the front line of our fight against climate change. Their ability to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is more effective than anything else. The Woodland Trust says 1.5 billion trees need to be planted so we can reach zero emissions by 2050. Many gardeners know the benefits of adding mycorrhizal fungi to the roots of their plants when planting. Did you know the role this tiny organism can play in saving the planet?
In 1996, a sticky protein called glomalin was found in soils. It produces organic matter, binding it to silt, sand and clay particles. Glomalin contains 30-40 per cent of soil carbon. It forms clumps called aggregates that add structure and keep other stored soil carbon from escaping.
Keeps stored carbon from escaping with Empathy rootgrow
This protein gives soil its tilth and is produced solely by mycorrhizal fungi filaments. Adding it when planting a tree increases its effective root size by up to 700 times! Glomalin is responsible for holding a third of all soil carbon. Adding mycorrhizal fungi, such as Empathy’s rootgrow, when we plant trees means the tree’s carbon-capturing ability increases significantly.
Empathy’s range of eco-friendly, sustainable growing products contains rootgrow mycorrhizal fungi, proven to provide long-term benefits to plants, soil and the environment. The company is future-proofing British gardening with the carbon-capturing abilities of its UK-produced mycorrhizal fungi. The RHS-accredited range uses recycled packaging and donates to charitable partnerships.
A 60g pack costs £2.25, www.rootgrow.co.uk.
