John Miller
Mushroom compost is a great addition to your garden. It is a by-product of the edible mushroom industry, made from a blend of composted straw and well-rotted animal manure. Mushroom compost is an effective soil conditioner and mulch, enhancing the structure of your soil and providing nutrients for healthy plants. It has a high level of water retention, keeping soil moist and reducing the need for frequent watering. However, due to its higher pH level, it should not be used for acid-loving plants. Before applying mushroom compost, it is important to cure it, allowing it to decompose further and reduce salt levels. Once cured, mushroom compost can be mixed with garden soil or spread as a mulch, improving soil quality and supporting various types of plant growth.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Use | Mushroom compost is used as a soil conditioner and a mulch. |
| Benefits | Mushroom compost is high in organic matter, it enhances the structure of your soil and provides nutrients for healthy plants. It also has a very high level of water retention, which is especially good for plants that like to have their roots kept moist. |
| pH level | Mushroom compost is slightly alkaline, with pH levels around 6.6, putting it in the neutral range. |
| Fertilizer capability | Mushroom compost is a slow-release fertilizer with relatively low nutritional value. It is low in heavy metals but can be higher in soluble salts than other fertilizer choices. |
| Drawbacks | Mushroom compost is not suitable for acid-loving plants like rhododendrons, camellias, azaleas, blueberries, and magnolias. It is also not suitable for plants that thrive in dry conditions, such as succulents and cacti. |
| Application | Mushroom compost can be worked into the soil or spread around the base of plants as mulch. For flower beds and vegetable gardens, spread 1-3 inches of compost over the surface and till it into the top 6 inches of soil. For container plants, use a ratio of 1/4 mushroom compost to 3/4 potting medium. |
| Curing | Fresh mushroom compost needs curing before adding it to the soil. Leave it in a stable environment with adequate moisture and cover it with peat to grow another crop of mushrooms. |
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What You'll Learn
How much mushroom compost to add to the garden
Mushroom compost is a by-product of the edible mushroom industry. Mushroom farmers cultivate mushrooms on a blend of composted straw and well-rotted animal manure, usually horse and chicken manure. After two or three crops of mushrooms are harvested, the compost is sterilised at high temperatures to remove any pests, diseases or weeds. It is then sold as a soil conditioner and mulch for ornamental and vegetable gardens.
Mushroom compost is high in organic matter, which enhances all soils, from heavy clay to light, free-draining sand. Organic matter improves the structure and aeration of the soil, creating greater moisture retention and drainage capability. Mushroom compost's water retention abilities can be beneficial, but for plants that thrive in dry conditions, mushroom compost is not suitable.
To use mushroom compost in your garden, spread a 5cm deep layer over the surface of the soil. If spreading it on vegetable beds, leave for a week after application before sowing seeds. Avoid using mushroom compost as a mulch for 'acid-loving' or 'ericaceous' plants, like rhododendron, camellia, heather and citrus, as the higher pH means they will struggle to access the nutrients they need from the soil.
You can use mushroom compost to grow outdoor plants in containers by mixing one part mushroom compost to three parts garden soil. In containers, use 25% or less mushroom compost. Do not use more than 50% mushroom compost in total or you will end up with a spongy, soggy mass.
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The benefits of mushroom compost
Mushroom compost is a great addition to your garden as it has many benefits. Firstly, it is a wonderful soil builder and helps keep the soil moist. It also aids in breaking down dense clay. Mushroom compost can be used as a soil conditioner and mulch, improving the structure and aeration of the soil. It is high in organic matter, which enhances all types of soils and provides nutrients for healthy plants.
Another benefit of mushroom compost is its ability to retain water. This is especially useful for plants that prefer moist roots, such as ferns and tropical houseplants. By mixing mushroom compost into your soil, you can reduce the amount of watering needed for your plants, which leads to several advantages. Firstly, it saves time and energy as you won't need to water your plants as frequently. Secondly, it helps conserve water reserves, making it an environmentally friendly choice for your garden.
Additionally, mushroom compost can be useful for soil that is already rich in nitrogen. Excess nitrogen can lead to overgrowth of foliage and stunted roots, so using mushroom compost, which generally contains less nitrogen, can be beneficial. Furthermore, mushroom compost contains more calcium than regular compost due to the addition of chalk. This is beneficial for plants like tomatoes that thrive in calcium-rich soil.
When using mushroom compost, it is important to note that it should not be the only growth medium. It is recommended to mix one part mushroom compost with three parts garden soil for outdoor plants in containers. It is also suggested to avoid using mushroom compost for acid-loving or ericaceous plants, as they have difficulty accessing nutrients due to the higher pH of the compost.
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The drawbacks of mushroom compost
Mushroom compost is a great addition to your garden, but it does have certain drawbacks that make it unsuitable for certain use cases. Here are some disadvantages of using mushroom compost in your garden:
High Salt Content
Mushroom compost tends to have a higher level of soluble salts. Plants such as blueberries, rhododendrons, and azaleas will not respond well to the presence of these salts. Vermicomposting or "curing" can be used to reduce salt levels, but it is still recommended to avoid using mushroom compost with plants that are sensitive to salt.
Waterlogging
Mushroom compost has excellent water retention abilities, which can be beneficial for some plants. However, for plants that thrive in dry conditions, such as succulents and cacti, mushroom compost can be detrimental. Using too much mushroom compost can also lead to waterlogged soil, which can encourage root rot and fungal infections.
Alkaline Nature
Mushroom compost is often alkaline in nature due to the presence of chalk. This increased pH level can make it unsuitable for acid-loving or 'ericaceous' plants, such as rhododendrons, camellias, heather, and citrus plants. These plants may have difficulty accessing the nutrients they need due to the higher pH.
Low in Nitrogen
Mushroom compost has generally been used as a growing medium, which means it often contains less nitrogen than regular compost. While this can be beneficial for soil already rich in nitrogen, it may not provide the necessary nutrients for all plants.
Not a Replacement for Soil
While mushroom compost is excellent for growing mushrooms, it is not a suitable replacement for soil when growing other plants. It should be used as a soil amendment or conditioner, mixed with garden soil, rather than as a growing medium by itself.
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How to prepare mushroom compost before adding it to the garden
Mushroom compost is a great addition to your garden as it improves water retention, enhances soil structure, and provides nutrients for healthy plants. Here are some detailed steps on how to prepare mushroom compost before adding it to your garden:
Purchasing Mushroom Compost
Firstly, you need to decide whether to buy fresh or cured mushroom compost. Fresh mushroom compost is cheaper, but it needs to be cured before use. Cured mushroom compost is more expensive but can be added directly to your garden. If you choose to buy fresh mushroom compost, purchase it in fall, winter, or early spring to give it ample time to cure before planting.
Curing Fresh Mushroom Compost
To cure fresh mushroom compost, you need to monitor its temperature to ensure it stays at a minimum of 140°F to achieve pasteurization. Commercially, this is done by injecting steam. At home, you can turn the compost periodically (every few days) to allow it to break down. Do this for about a month. The pasteurization process kills pathogens, pest larvae, and weed seeds. After pasteurization, allow the compost to cool to below 90°F or the ambient air temperature before applying it to your garden.
Mixing Mushroom Compost with Soil
Mushroom compost should not be used as the only growth medium. It should be mixed with soil or another substrate. The general recommendation is to mix one part mushroom compost with three parts garden soil. You can either work the compost into the soil with a shovel or rake or leave it as is, and earthworms and rainfall will do the mixing for you. Make sure to keep the mushroom compost at least 1 to 2 inches away from plant stems to avoid rot.
Plants to Avoid
Avoid using mushroom compost for young plants, seeds, or seedlings as they are sensitive to the high salt levels in mushroom compost. It is also not suitable for salt-sensitive plants such as azaleas, rhododendrons, camellias, and other members of the Ericaceae family. Do not use mushroom compost with plants that thrive in dry conditions, such as succulents or cacti.
By following these steps, you can prepare mushroom compost and add it to your garden to enhance the growth of your plants.
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What plants to avoid using mushroom compost with
Mushroom compost is a great addition to your garden. It improves water retention, enhances soil structure, and provides nutrients for healthy plants. However, it is not suitable for all plants.
Firstly, mushroom compost is not suitable for plants that thrive in dry conditions, such as succulents and cacti. These plants prefer well-drained soil and their roots should not be kept moist. Therefore, the high water retention of mushroom compost is not ideal for such plants and can even lead to root rot.
Secondly, avoid using mushroom compost with acid-loving or ericaceous plants. This includes rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, blueberries, heather, and citrus plants. Mushroom compost is slightly alkaline, with a pH of 6.5-7, and can increase the pH of the soil, making it less suitable for these acid-loving plants.
Additionally, due to its high salt content, mushroom compost should be avoided for young seedlings and seeds. The high concentration of salts and other nutrients can be detrimental to their growth. It is recommended to mix mushroom compost with garden soil prior to using it for young plants.
Furthermore, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) advises against using mushroom compost for lawns and fruit-bearing plants. However, some studies suggest that aged mushroom compost can be used for fruit-bearing plants.
Lastly, while mushroom compost is great for tropical houseplants, it is not ideal for rock gardens or outdoor plants that prefer dry soil.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushroom compost is a by-product of the edible mushroom industry. Mushroom farmers cultivate mushrooms on a blend of composted straw and well-rotted animal manure. After harvesting two or three crops of mushrooms, the compost is sterilized at a high temperature to remove any pests, diseases, or weeds.
Mushroom compost can be added to your garden in several ways. You can use it as a mulch, spread it around the base of your plants, or work it into the soil. For flower beds and vegetable gardens, spread one to three inches of mushroom compost over the surface and till it into the top six inches of soil. For container plants, blend a ratio of one part mushroom compost to three parts potting medium or garden soil.
Mushroom compost has high water retention abilities, which means you won't have to water your plants as frequently. It also improves soil structure and aeration, enhances drainage, and provides nutrients for healthy plants.
