Emma Wilson
Mushroom compost is a useful and cheap soil conditioner and mulch. However, it often contains peat, which is no longer recommended for horticultural use due to the damage it causes to peatland ecosystems, contributing to climate change. Peat-free compost is a thriving ecosystem full of microscopic life, whereas peat is formed from decomposed plant remains that offer no food sources to microbes and is almost entirely devoid of life. Mushroom compost is often used in vegetable gardens, as vegetable crops usually grow best when the soil is not acidic. However, it should be avoided when growing ericaceous plants such as rhododendrons, camellias, azaleas, and heathers, as these plants require acidic conditions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is mushroom compost peat-free? | Mushroom compost often contains peat. |
| Mushroom compost as a soil conditioner | Mushroom compost is a useful soil conditioner and mulch. |
| Mushroom compost as a soil improver | Mushroom compost improves soil structure and water retention. |
| Mushroom compost and plant growth | Mushroom compost is excellent for vegetable crops and brassicas. It should be avoided for ericaceous plants, fruit crops, and lawn top-dressing. |
| Mushroom compost and chalk | Mushroom compost often contains chalk and is alkaline in nature. |
| Concerns about peat in mushroom compost | Peat contributes to climate change by damaging peatland ecosystems. |
| Alternatives to peat | Mineral, plant-based, and synthetic alternatives to peat have been tested, but none has proved as effective. |
| Campaigns against peat | Campaigns such as "Peat Free April" advocate for banning peat in horticulture to protect peatlands and peat bogs. |
| Peat-free compost benefits | Some plants grow better in peat-free compost, and it provides a thriving ecosystem for microscopic life. |
| Identifying peat-free compost | When buying compost, look for labels that say "Peat Free" or "100% Peat Free." |
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What You'll Learn
Mushroom compost is often peat-free, but not always
Mushroom compost is a useful soil conditioner and mulch that can be bought cheaply in bulk. However, it often contains some peat, which is no longer recommended for horticultural use due to the damage it causes to peatland ecosystems, contributing to climate change.
Mushroom compost is often advertised as peat-free, but this is not always the case. It usually contains between 10 and 15% peat. The peat is used as a casing, with a layer of peat, often mixed with gypsum, to ensure an alkaline pH, placed on top of the manure mix. The casing is permeable to air and water and maintains a moist environment, which is essential to mushroom growth.
During the 1990s, when concerns over the use of peat were first recognised, the industry searched for alternatives. Over the last 25 years, a wide variety of alternatives have been tested, including mineral, plant-based, and synthetic options, but none has proved to be as effective as peat. In Iran, a mushroom producer found that blending 30% imported peat with sterile SMC improved water-holding and structure and produced the best quality mushrooms with a small loss of yield.
While mushroom compost with peat is widely available, there are peat-free options for those who wish to avoid it. Some companies, such as Maesyffin Mushrooms and Garryhinch Wood Exotic Mushrooms, are organic mushroom growers that use grain and wood chips instead of peat. Additionally, homemade compost is a peat-free option, although some gardeners feel their garden is too small for a compost heap. Garden Organic offers helpful information about composting on their website. It is important to note that when using mushroom compost, it should be avoided where ericaceous plants, such as rhododendrons and camellias, are being grown, as these plants require acidic conditions.
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Mushroom compost is a useful soil conditioner and mulch
Mushroom compost is a useful and affordable soil conditioner and mulch. It is often used in vegetable gardens and ornamental gardens to improve soil fertility, structure, and water-holding capacity. Mushroom compost is usually available as 'spent' mushroom compost, which is the compost left over from mushroom farming. It is light, easy to work with, and improves soil structure and water retention. It is also reasonably priced, with a one-tonne bulk bag costing around £80-100.
However, it is important to note that mushroom compost often contains peat, which is no longer recommended for horticultural use due to the damage it causes to peatland ecosystems and its contribution to climate change. Many gardeners and environmental advocates avoid using peat due to these concerns, and there has been a push to find alternative casings for mushroom compost. While mineral, plant-based, and synthetic alternatives have been tested, none have proven to be as effective as peat.
The presence of peat in mushroom compost can be problematic for gardeners who wish to avoid it. Some mushroom producers, particularly those producing specialist mushrooms on a small scale, have started to use peat-free growing media, such as grain and wood chips. However, it can be challenging to find mushroom compost that is completely peat-free. Gardeners who wish to avoid peat may need to carefully research their sources or consider making their own compost.
When using mushroom compost, it is recommended to remove any large pieces of chalk and use it in moderation, alternating with well-rotted manure or garden compost to avoid excessive chalk build-up in the soil. Mushroom compost is also not suitable for all types of plants, as it is alkaline in nature. It should be avoided when growing ericaceous (acid-loving) plants such as rhododendrons, camellias, azaleas, and heathers, as these plants require acidic conditions. Instead, leaf mould is recommended as a mulch and soil improver for these types of plants.
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Peat-free compost is a thriving ecosystem
Peat-free composts, such as SylvaGrow, are full of microscopic life, including beneficial microbes and fungi. In contrast, peat is formed from decomposed plant remains in conditions with little oxygen, making it almost devoid of life. Recent scientific discoveries have highlighted the advantages of the microbial life present in healthy soil and compost. Most fungi are incredibly beneficial to plants, and mushrooms, the fruit of certain fungi, indicate healthy soil.
Mushrooms in compost feed on organic matter in the soil, such as dead leaves and root exudates—carbohydrates that plants exchange for nutrients and protection. This symbiotic relationship between plants and fungi enhances plant growth and health. While a large number of mushrooms may crowd plants, removing them does not diminish the benefits to the plants.
Peat-free composts are particularly suitable for certain plants, such as herbs, which grow better in peat-free media or directly in garden soil. Additionally, some mushrooms, like oyster and shiitake, can be grown without peat, using grain and wood-chip instead.
By choosing peat-free composts, gardeners can improve their growing results while also protecting the planet's peatlands and peat bogs, supporting initiatives like Peat Free April, which aims to ban the use of peat in horticulture. With a range of effective and environmentally friendly alternatives available, gardeners can contribute to the preservation of ecosystems and the fight against climate change.
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Peat is used as a casing for mushroom compost
Mushroom compost is a useful soil conditioner and mulch, but it often contains peat. It is usually available as "spent" mushroom compost, which is the compost left over from mushroom farming. Spent mushroom compost is light, easy to work with, full of nutrients, free of weeds and disease, and rich in organic matter, improving soil structure and water retention.
While peat is commonly used as a casing for mushroom compost, there are alternatives available. During the 1990s, concerns over the use of peat were recognised, and the industry began searching for alternatives. Over the last 25 years, a wide variety of alternatives have been tested, including mineral, plant-based, and synthetic options. While none has proved to be as effective as peat, some mushroom growers have successfully used grain and wood-chip to grow their mushrooms.
Additionally, there are peat-free composts available for gardeners who wish to avoid using peat. These composts are made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir, and sand. These peat-free composts can provide the same benefits as mushroom compost, such as improving soil fertility, structure, and water-holding capacity. By using peat-free composts, gardeners can help protect peatland ecosystems and contribute to climate change mitigation.
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Alternatives to peat have been tested, but none are as effective
Mushroom compost is a useful soil conditioner and mulch, but it often contains peat. Peat is unsustainable and contributes to the release of harmful carbon dioxide into the environment. Its harvesting also destroys ecosystems that support various species of insects, birds, and plants.
During the 1990s, when concerns over the use of peat were first recognised, the industry searched for alternatives. Over the last 25 years, a wide variety of alternatives have been tested; mineral, plant-based, and synthetic, but none have proved to be as effective as peat.
There are several suitable alternatives to peat moss. Coconut coir, also known as coco peat, is one of the best alternatives. It has excellent water-holding capabilities and a pH level of 6.0, which is close to perfect for most garden plants. Coir lightens the soil and retains water, but it is more expensive than peat.
Wood-based materials such as wood fibre, sawdust, or composted bark offer certain benefits, particularly when they’re made from byproducts of locally sourced wood. The pH level of wood products tends to be low, thus making the soil more acidic. This may benefit acid-loving plants like rhododendrons and azaleas but isn’t as good for plants that prefer a more alkaline environment.
Other alternatives to peat include perlite, which helps create a well-aerated and well-draining substrate, pine bark, bentonite clay, rice hulls, and sand.
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Frequently asked questions
No, mushroom compost often contains peat. It is used as a casing, which is permeable to air and water and maintains a moist environment, which is essential to mushroom growth.
Peat can withstand regular irrigation without losing structure. It is also used to ensure an alkaline pH.
Yes, alternatives to peat include mineral, plant-based and synthetic casings. However, none have proved to be as effective as peat.
