Why has the earth in my garden got white flakes in it?
Q What are the white flakes in the soil when I dig? Pauline Rhodes, Hull
AThis sounds like the beneficial fungal mycelium. Any decent garden soil will contain mycelium in every teaspoon of earth, although it’s not always visible. It’s usually most evident where in extremely acid soils or those prone to waterlogging. If conditions are suitable worms will naturally turn up in gardens.
If your soil is very acidic consider adding garden lime in the autumn. It’s expensive to install permanent drainage on waterlogged soils but creating raised beds and incorporating large quantities of organic matter, such as garden generous amounts of organic matter has been added to the soil or if the soil is rather dry. These fungi are saprophytes breaking down organic matter to form humus and releasing the nutrients that green plants need to grow. The more organic matter in the way of garden compost, manure or bark mulch you add the greater the quantity of mycelium. compost or well-rotted manure, will encourage worms.
Another reason could be the presence of New Zealand flatworms which prey on them. Flatworms are flattened, unsegmented, worm-like animals growing to 20cm (8in) and dark brown in colour. Once in gardens there’s nothing effective that can be done to reduce their numbers.