Michael Davis
Mushroom compost is a by-product of mushroom farming. It is made from a mixture of wheat straw or hay, along with chicken or horse manure and ingredients such as gypsum, peat moss, and lime. Mushroom compost is often used to improve soil fertility, structure, and water-holding capacity. However, it has high soluble salt levels and alkalinity due to the addition of chalk, which can be dangerous for certain plants, especially those that are salt-sensitive or prefer acidic soil. Therefore, it is important to understand the potential benefits and drawbacks of using mushroom compost before applying it to your garden or plants.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Composition | Organic materials such as hay, straw, corn cobs, cocoa hulls, poultry or horse manure, gypsum, peat moss, lime, soybean meal, chalk |
| pH level | 6.5-7.0 (slightly alkaline) |
| Nutrients | Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium, sulphur |
| Benefits | Enhances soil structure, provides nutrients for healthy plants, increases water-holding capacity of soil, acts as a mulch, inexpensive |
| Drawbacks | High salt content, may contain peat, not suitable for salt-sensitive or ericaceous plants, may cause lime-induced chlorosis and stunting if used excessively |
| Usage | Mix 3 inches into the first 6 inches of dry soil in the garden, use less for potted plants |
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What You'll Learn
Mushroom compost is a by-product of mushroom farming
The process of making mushroom compost usually involves soaking huge bales of straw in water until they are saturated. The straw is then chipped into smaller pieces, and manure and other ingredients such as gypsum, peat moss, lime, soybean meal, and other organic items are blended into it. The mixture is then put into compost piles, with water added as needed, and the piles are turned daily to keep the decomposition process running smoothly.
Mushroom compost is high in organic matter, which enhances all types of soil, from heavy clay to light, free-draining sand. It improves the structure and aeration of the soil, increases its moisture-retaining and drainage capabilities, and provides nutrients for healthy plant growth. These include nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and sulphur.
However, mushroom compost has some drawbacks. It often contains chalk, which can build up in the soil and increase its alkalinity. This can make certain nutrients less available to plants and negatively impact their growth. Therefore, mushroom compost is not recommended for neutral, alkaline, or chalky soils. It is also not suitable for salt-sensitive plants like azaleas, rhododendrons, and blueberries, as it has a high salt content and can increase the soil's pH level.
Despite these considerations, mushroom compost can be a useful product for certain types of gardens. It is reasonably inexpensive and can be purchased in bulk. When using mushroom compost, it is important to mix it thoroughly into the soil before planting and to use it in moderation, alternating with other types of compost or manure.
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It has a high salt content and alkalinity
Mushroom compost is a by-product of mushroom farming. It is made from composted straw and well-rotted animal manure, usually horse and chicken manure. It is often touted as "black gold" and is a useful soil conditioner and mulch. It is high in organic matter, which enhances all types of soils, from heavy clay to light, free-draining sand.
However, mushroom compost has a high salt content and alkalinity, which can be detrimental to certain plants. The salt levels can kill germinating seeds, harm young seedlings, and cause damage to salt-sensitive plants. Plants that are sensitive to salt include azaleas, rhododendrons, and blueberries, which prefer an environment that is more acidic.
The alkalinity of mushroom compost is due to the presence of chalk, which is added to provide calcium. Calcium is beneficial for plants like tomatoes, as it helps to prevent blossom-end rot. However, calcium increases the soil pH level, which can be problematic for plants that require acidic soil, such as blueberries.
To temper the alkaline levels of mushroom compost, you can use a product like aglime, or alternate it with well-rotted manure or garden compost, which are only slightly alkaline or neutral. It is important to remove any large pieces of chalk that are visible in the compost to avoid excessive build-up in the soil, which can negatively impact plant growth.
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It is a cheap, effective fertiliser
Mushroom compost is a cheap, effective fertiliser. It is a by-product of mushroom farming, made from composted straw and well-rotted animal manure, usually horse and chicken manure. It is often sold cheaply in bulk and can be purchased directly from local mushroom farms.
It is an excellent soil conditioner, enriching the soil and supplying nutrients for the healthy growth of plants. It can be used to amend clay soils in beds and lawns. It is also suitable for most garden plants, supporting the growth of fruits and vegetables, as well as herbs and flowers.
Mushroom compost has a pH of 6.5-7, which is ideal for most crops and falls within the optimal range for most plants. It is slightly alkaline, which is beneficial for certain plants such as brassicas (vegetables in the cabbage family), as it protects against club root. It is also good for tomatoes, as the higher calcium levels help prevent blossom-end rot.
However, mushroom compost is not suitable for all plants. It has a high salt content and can be harmful to salt-sensitive plants such as azaleas, rhododendrons, blueberries, and heathers. It can also increase soil alkalinity, which may negatively impact plants that prefer acidic conditions. Therefore, it is important to use mushroom compost in moderation and ensure it is suitable for the type of plants being grown.
To use mushroom compost effectively, it should be thoroughly mixed into the garden soil prior to planting. For potted plants, use a smaller amount, approximately a quarter of the soil volume. By incorporating mushroom compost into the soil, gardeners can improve soil fertility, structure, and water-holding capacity, leading to healthier and more robust plant growth.
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It can be harmful to young, salt-sensitive plants
Mushroom compost is a by-product of mushroom farming. It is the leftover substrate that mushrooms have been grown in, usually a mixture of wheat straw or hay, along with chicken or horse manure, and ingredients such as gypsum, peat moss, and lime. It is often touted as "black gold" and is a useful soil conditioner and mulch.
Mushroom compost is high in organic matter, which enhances all soils, from heavy clay to light, free-draining sand. It improves the structure and aeration of the soil, creating greater moisture-retaining and drainage capabilities. It is also a source of organic materials such as nitrogen and carbon, which are needed for plant growth.
However, mushroom compost has high soluble salt levels and alkalinity due to the addition of chalk. These salt levels can kill germinating seeds, harm young seedlings, and cause damage to salt-sensitive plants. Plants such as azaleas, rhododendrons, blueberries, and camellias are salt-sensitive and prefer an environment that is more acidic. Too much salt can even burn young, sensitive plants, so it should be used in small amounts and thoroughly mixed into the soil before planting.
To temper the alkaline levels of mushroom compost, you can use aglime, or purchase it without chalk. It is most useful on acid soils that are low in organic matter, where the liming effect of the chalk is beneficial.
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It is not suitable for all soil types
Mushroom compost is not suitable for all soil types. It is generally not recommended for neutral, alkaline, or chalky soils, as it will make them excessively alkaline. This is due to the addition of chalk, which is included in mushroom compost to provide calcium to plants. Calcium increases the soil's pH level, which is beneficial for plants that require alkaline soil, such as tomatoes, but problematic for plants that need acidic soil, such as blueberries.
Furthermore, mushroom compost should be avoided when growing ericaceous plants, such as rhododendrons, camellias, azaleas, and heathers, as these plants thrive in acidic conditions. Instead, leaf mould is recommended as a mulch and soil improver for these types of plants, as it is pH-neutral or acidic.
The high salt content of mushroom compost can also be detrimental to certain plants. Salt-sensitive plants in the heath family, such as azaleas, rhododendrons, and blueberries, should be avoided when using mushroom compost. The high salt levels can kill germinating seeds, harm young seedlings, and damage salt-sensitive plants.
It is important to note that mushroom compost is often sold without first being used to grow mushrooms, and this type of compost is free of chalk. However, frequent or heavy use of spent mushroom compost can lead to a build-up of chalk particles in the soil, increasing soil alkalinity and potentially hindering plant growth.
Therefore, it is essential to consider the specific soil type and the plants being grown before using mushroom compost. While it can be beneficial for some plants, it may be detrimental to others, and alternative soil conditioners or mulches may be more suitable in certain cases.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushroom compost is a by-product of mushroom farming. It is made from the composted straw and well-rotted animal manure that mushrooms are grown in. After the mushrooms are harvested, the leftover compost is sterilised and sold as fertiliser.
Mushroom compost is a useful soil conditioner and mulch. It is high in organic matter, which enhances the structure of the soil and provides nutrients for healthy plants. It also increases the water-holding capacity of the soil, which decreases the need for watering.
Mushroom compost has high salt content and is alkaline in nature. Therefore, it should not be used for salt-sensitive plants like azaleas, rhododendrons, blueberries, and heathers, which prefer more acidic soil. It should also be used in moderation, as too much can burn young, sensitive plants.
