I’ve always been a fan of symbiosis. There are so many amazing examples in nature of two organisms benefitting from one another and living together in harmonious collaboration. When I think of my perfect garden, I think of trying to curate a living space where organisms relate to one another in beneficial ways, creating a system of mutual support that is resilient, productive and beautiful.

Unfortunately, for many gardeners like myself, the soil we’re working with has been subject to years of mismanagement and abuse.

However, a local company, Natural Gardening Principles, has recently released a product that uses tried and tested symbiotic relationships between specific fungi and plant roots to reinvigourate your soil life, without the use of chemical controls.

Natural Gardening Principles’ Root Build product contains Mycorrhizae, a type of fungi that inhabit the roots of plants. These fungi create the ultimate conditions for root growth and enhance the plants ability to take up water and nutrients from the soil. Any stress that the plant encounters, such as root knot nematodes, soil borne diseases, high winds, drought, depleted or toxic soil, intense heat and more are offset by the benefits of the Mycorrhizae.

‘Mycorrhiza is a fungi which establishes a symbiotic relationship with the plant. The Mycorrhiza supplies the plant with water and nutrients and in return the plant gives carbohydrates to the Mycorrhiza. By reintroducing Mycorrhiza into depleted soil, you improve the growth and health of the plant,’ explains Sarchen Bassingthwaighte, professional gardener and owner of NGP.

Root Build comes in two mediums, one of which is a water-soluble format. ‘One gram per already established shrub diluted in 1l of water will visibly reduce drought stress and suppress nematode and pathogen damage,’ says Sarchen, whose products are highly concentrated and very cost effective.

The Root Build for planting comes in a peat medium and should be scattered in the planting hole and the plant placed directly on top to ensure maximum contact of the living organisms with the root.

The NGP Root Build product is available through online purchase at www.naturalgardeningprinciples.co.za and is delivered countrywide.