Laura Smith
Mushroom compost is a by-product of mushroom farming. It is a mixture of agricultural materials, such as straw, hay, and poultry litter, that serves as a growth medium for mushrooms. After the mushrooms are harvested, this mixture is removed, sterilized, and sold as mushroom compost or mushroom soil. Mushroom compost is high in organic matter and moisture, making it an excellent soil conditioner and mulch. It enhances the structure, aeration, and moisture retention of soil, providing the ideal environment for plants to grow.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is it? | A by-product of mushroom farming, specifically the medium in which mushrooms are grown. |
| Composition | A mixture of agricultural materials such as straw, hay, poultry litter, ground corn cobs, cottonseed hulls, cocoa shells, peat moss, and other natural organic substances. |
| pH | 6.5-7.0 on average, which is slightly alkaline. |
| Nutrients | Nitrogen, phosphate, potash, calcium, magnesium, sulphur, and other plant nutrients. |
| Organic Matter | High in organic matter, with an average of 25% organic matter on a wet volume basis. |
| Moisture | Contains approximately 58% moisture, helping to keep soil moist. |
| Appearance | Dark topsoil with a loose, crumbly structure and an "earthy" aroma. |
| Uses | Soil conditioner, mulch, and fertilizer. |
| Benefits | Enhances soil structure, provides nutrients for plants, and helps retain moisture. |
| Drawbacks | Not suitable for ericaceous plants that require acidic soils. May be lower in nitrogen if already used for mushroom growth. |
| Commercial Availability | Sold in bags or bulk, often labelled as SMC (Spent Mushroom Compost) or SMS (Spent Mushroom Substrate). |
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What You'll Learn
Mushroom compost is a by-product of mushroom farming
Mushroom compost, also known as mushroom soil, is a by-product of mushroom farming. It is the medium in which mushrooms are grown. This growth medium is a mixture of agricultural materials, such as straw, hay, poultry or horse manure, and crop residues such as corn cobs and cocoa shells. The exact composition of the growth medium varies from grower to grower.
To produce mushroom compost, manufacturers start with large bales of wheat straw. These bales are soaked in water and then chipped to create a finer particulate. Chicken or horse manure and gypsum are blended together and mixed with the straw. This mixture is placed in hot compost piles, watered, and turned daily to initiate the composting process, which can take up to two weeks. After the initial hot composting phase, the piles are turned into long rows and left to compost for another couple of weeks.
The resulting compost is pasteurized to kill any remaining bacteria, pests, pathogens, or weed seeds. It is then steam-pasteurized and inoculated with mushroom spawn or mycelium. The medium is then covered with sphagnum moss and ground limestone to support mushroom growth. After harvesting the mushrooms, the substrate is removed and sold as mushroom compost.
Mushroom compost is a great addition to gardening efforts. It enhances the structure of the soil, improves aeration, and increases the soil's moisture-retaining and drainage capabilities. It is also high in organic matter and provides nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which are essential for plant growth. The ideal pH range for most plants is 6.0 to 7.0, and mushroom compost typically falls within this range, with an average pH of 6.6.
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It is high in organic matter and improves soil structure
Mushroom compost is a by-product of mushroom farming. It is the medium in which mushrooms are grown, and it is removed after the mushrooms are harvested. This medium is a blend of composted straw and well-rotted animal manure, usually horse and chicken manure. Other common ingredients include wheat straw, gypsum, hay, poultry litter, ground corn cobs, cottonseed hulls, cocoa shells, and peat moss.
Mushroom compost is high in organic matter, with research from Pennsylvania State University showing that it contains an average of 25% organic matter and 58% moisture on a wet volume basis. This high level of organic matter improves the structure and aeration of the soil, creating greater moisture retention and drainage capability. This makes mushroom compost a great soil builder and useful for keeping the soil moist. It also helps to break down dense clay.
The ideal pH range for most plants is between 6.0 and 7.0, and mushroom compost typically falls within this range, with an average pH of 6.6. It is slightly alkaline, which is beneficial for plants that thrive in acidic soils, such as tomatoes, as the higher calcium levels help to prevent blossom-end rot. However, it should not be used with ericaceous plants, which require highly acidic soils.
Mushroom compost is also a good source of nutrients for plants, containing an average of 1.12% nitrogen, 0.67% phosphate (phosphorus), and 1.24% potash (potassium). These nutrients work together to help plants grow strongly and produce flowers and fruit.
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It is slightly alkaline and has a pH of 6.5-7
Mushroom compost is a by-product of mushroom farming. It is the growth medium in which mushrooms are grown, and it is removed after the mushrooms are harvested. This medium is a mixture of agricultural materials, such as straw, hay, poultry litter, and other natural organic substances.
Mushroom compost is a great addition to your gardening efforts as it is high in organic matter, which enhances all types of soils. It improves the structure and aeration of the soil, creating greater moisture retention and drainage capabilities. It also provides the nutrients that plants need to grow well, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
The pH level of mushroom compost is typically between 6.5 and 7, which is slightly alkaline. This pH range is ideal for most crops and plants. The alkalinity of mushroom compost is due to the presence of calcium, which is added to the compost through the inclusion of chalk.
The slightly alkaline nature of mushroom compost makes it unsuitable for plants that thrive in acidic soils, such as blueberries. However, it is beneficial for plants that prefer less acidic soils, such as tomatoes, as the higher calcium levels help to reduce blossom-end rot.
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It is pasteurized to kill bacteria, pests and pathogens
Mushroom compost is a by-product of mushroom farming. It is the growth medium of mushrooms that is removed after the mushrooms are harvested. This compost is a great soil builder and helps keep the soil moist. It is also high in organic matter, which enhances all soils, from heavy clay to light, free-draining sand.
The process of pasteurization is crucial for growing mushrooms. It helps eliminate harmful competitor organisms that may thrive in the same moist and nutrient-rich environment that the mushroom mycelium needs to grow. Mycelium is the vegetative part of the fungus that eventually gives rise to the fruiting body or mushroom that we consume.
Through pasteurization, the mushroom substrate is treated to create an environment where the mushroom mycelium can thrive and grow without competition from other organisms. This process helps to ensure that the mushroom spawn has a higher chance of success, resulting in a higher yield of edible mushrooms.
The pasteurization process kills bacteria, pests, and pathogens that could cause surface diseases. It also kills organisms that need oxygen to survive, like fungal spores and aerobic bacteria. Additionally, it reduces the number of living organisms in the substrate, leaving behind beneficial heat-tolerant bacteria that can protect the substrate from competing organisms during colonization.
There are several methods of pasteurization, including low-tech methods ideal for beginner mushroom growers. One such method is cold water bath pasteurization, which involves soaking the substrate in a solution that hydrates the straw and kills harmful organisms. Another method is lime bath pasteurization, which uses wood ash to increase the pH of the water bath. Large-scale mushroom farms may also use fermentation as a method for pasteurizing substrates.
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It can be used to grow mushrooms or as a soil conditioner
Mushroom compost is a by-product of mushroom farming. It is the growth medium of mushrooms, which is removed after the mushrooms are harvested. This medium is a mixture of agricultural materials, such as straw, hay, poultry or horse manure, and crop residues like corn cobs and cocoa shells. It is formed into a rich organic media that serves as the nutrient source for mushrooms.
Mushroom compost can be used to grow mushrooms. After the mushroom crop is harvested, the compost is sterilised at high temperatures to remove any pests, diseases, or weeds. It is then inoculated with mushroom spores and used to grow mushrooms. This compost can also be used as a base for growing outdoor plants in containers by mixing one part mushroom compost to three parts garden soil.
Mushroom compost can also be used as a soil conditioner and mulch. It 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 capabilities. It also provides the nutrients that plants need to grow well, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
Mushroom compost has an average pH of 6.6, falling within the ideal pH range for most crops, between 6.0 and 7.0. It is slightly alkaline, with a pH of 6.5–7, which is suitable for a wide range of ornamental plants and vegetables. However, it should not be used with ericaceous plants, which thrive in acidic soils.
Overall, mushroom compost is a wonderful addition to gardening efforts, providing benefits to the soil and aiding in the growth of healthy plants.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushroom compost is a by-product of mushroom farming. It is the growth medium of mushrooms, which is removed after the mushrooms are harvested. It is a mixture of agricultural materials, such as straw, hay, poultry litter, and other natural organic substances.
Mushroom compost is a great soil builder and helps keep the soil moist. It is high in organic matter and enhances the structure of the soil, providing nutrients for healthy plants. It is also slightly alkaline, which is suitable for a wide range of ornamental plants and vegetables.
Mushroom compost can be used as a soil conditioner and mulch. It should be spread in a layer about 5 cm deep over the surface of the soil. If spreading it on vegetable beds, it is recommended to wait a week after application before sowing seeds.
