Introduction

One of my favorite habits this time of year is keeping an eye out for where the IMO are showing up in my local environment. As I walk through the garden or out in the forest while foraging, I’m always scanning the undergrowth, peeling back layers of leaves, and checking those tucked-away spots where I tend to find healthy mycelium running. It's just part of the rhythm now—walking, observing, making mental notes of where the life is most active. These are the areas I’ll come back to as the weather warms up, ready to set my cedar boxes and start collecting Indigenous Microorganisms (IMO) for my Korean Natural Farming (KNF) practices.

It's a simple habit, but it's made all the difference in timing my collections and getting strong, diverse cultures going.

Little routines like this—just adding observation into the things you're already doing—really stack up over time. Whether you're walking the same paths every day or just passing through, there are always clues waiting if you're looking. Build those small habits in. They'll serve you well.