mushroom cloud compost , also jazz as spent mushroom substrate , refers to the leftover growing medium after mushrooms have been harvested . This nutrient - productive material can be an excellent summation to garden soils . However , mushroom compost also has some drawback to reckon . Below is an in - profoundness look at the pro and flimflam of using mushroom compost in your garden .
Advantages of Mushroom Compost
1. High in Organic Matter
The primary benefit of mushroom cloud compost is its mellow organic matter content . Materials like hay straw manure , peat moss , and ground corncobs are used to farm the initial mushroom growing substrate . Although the mushrooms steep some nutrient during increase , much organic affair rest after harvest .
add together constituent materials to garden soil promotes microbic activity and ameliorate grease structure . It serve loosen laboured cadaver grease and increases the water retention of arenaceous soils .
2. Rich in Nutrients
mushroom-shaped cloud compost contains a variety of macro and micronutrient that plant need for goodish development
These nutrients are released lento over time , furnish a unbendable feeding for plants . mushroom-shaped cloud compost can be an alternative to chemical fertiliser .
3. Ideal pH for Most Plants
Mushroom compost usually has a pH between 6.5 - 7.5 , make it suitable for most garden plant . Acid - lie with plants like azaleas and blueberries may not flourish at this pH stratum . But for everything else , the inert to slightly alkaline pH is ideal .
4. Holds Moisture
The high organic matter cognitive content of mushroom compost enable it to hold onto moisture in effect . append mushroom cloud compost to flaxen soil can drastically improve their urine - holding capacity . This help abridge watering frequency in the garden .
5. Weed Suppression
mushroom-shaped cloud compost contains high levels of soluble salts . When used as a Earth’s surface mulch , these salt subdue dope seed germination and make a weed roadblock . The fine atom also block light from reaching potential skunk seedling .
6. Available and Affordable
Mushroom compost is readily uncommitted in bulk at garden centers or direct from mushroom farms It is also very affordable compared to other soil amendment . Using local mushroom compost supports recycling of these constitutive materials
Disadvantages of Mushroom Compost
1. High Salt Content
The main headache with mushroom-shaped cloud compost is its high soluble saltiness content . While the salt help suppress weeds , it can also damage Strategic Arms Limitation Talks - sensitive plants . Seedlings and transplants are more susceptible than constitute plants .
Vegetables like beans , carrot , Allium cepa , and pepper can be harm if planted directly into bottom amended with mushroom cloud compost . It is good to use mushroom compost for ornamental planting .
2. Unknown Origins
When get mushroom cloud compost from bulk sources , you do n’t always love what went into the original mushroom-shaped cloud substrate . There could be contamination like residuary pesticide or herbicides . This may not stick to to organic horticulture practices .
3. Heavy and Dense
mushroom cloud compost is very slow and heavy , especially when tight . bring too much bulk mushroom-shaped cloud compost to garden beds can damage dirt structure . It ’s best to commingle mushroom-shaped cloud compost with other composts and fertiliser .
4. May Contain Pathogens
If mushroom compost is not fully composted , it could stop plant or human pathogen . Proper heating of the mushroom substrate during production should rule out pathogens . But there is a tenuous risk of infection if the compost is incompletely aged .
5. May Attract Mushrooms
Bits of mushroom mycelium may remain viable in spent mushroom compost . This can lead to mushroom cloud growth in your garden beds . While mushrooms wo n’t harm plants , some nurseryman view them as a nuisance .
Best Practices for Using Mushroom Compost
When used suitably , mushroom-shaped cloud compost can certainly boost grime wellness and provide nutrients . But likely drawbacks like gamey saltiness and obscure origins deserve retainer . With proper blend and lotion techniques , mushroom compost can be a cost - effective land amendment for gardeners .
Why use mushroom compost?
Can think either garden compost made at plate or ejaculate / potting compost : • Garden compost is a soil do-gooder made from plant dissipation that has broken down , normally in a compost binful or heap . It is added to soil to improve its fertility , structure and H2O - holding capacity . Seed or potting compost are used to grow seedlings or plants in pots . you may buy a multifariousness of peat - devoid compost that are made from a mixture of different cloth , like loam , compost bark , coir , and guts , or you may make your own .
It is sometimes cheap and comfortable to get in large amounts from mushroom farms , grunge and manure suppliers , and even some garden centre .
Traditionally made with well - rotted stable manure , mushroom compost is now generally made using composted chaff .
mushroom cloud compost often contain chalk and is alkaline in nature . When using mushroom compost , make certain there are n’t any prominent small-arm of crank that can be seen , and only employ it in small amount of money . Instead , employ well - rotted manure or garden compost , which react in a style that is neutral or slightly alkaline . This debar excessive build up of ice in the soil . A lot of the time , mushroom compost is sell without having been used to get mushrooms first . Since it does n’t contain chalk , it ’s a great manure .
Note : there is no connection between spend ( used ) mushroom cloud compost and the disease honey fungus .
Is Mushroom Compost Good For A Garden Or Should You Avoid It?
FAQ
When should you not apply mushroom compost ?
What plants do not like mushroom-shaped cloud compost ?
Can you put too much mushroom cloud compost in the garden ?
Which is in effect , mushroom cloud compost or manure ?
What are the benefits of mushroom compost ?
Instead , using mushroom compost has benefits to disadvantage . mushroom cloud compost provide macronutrients like nitrogen , phosphorous , and atomic number 19 as soil amendment . Furthermore , it also supplies micronutrients like atomic number 26 , calcium , and Mg to dirty health . It can ameliorate the structure of compacted or clay - like soil to improve drainage .
Are mushrooms good for wellness ?
Mushrooms are an excellent source of selenium and vitamin D. They are scummy in calories , fat free , cholesterol costless , gluten complimentary and very depressed in atomic number 11 . It is also rich in B2 , B3 , B5 , ergothioneine , copper , atomic number 19 and beta glucans . B vitamin avail in carbohydrate , protein and juicy metamorphosis and nervous system . mushroom-shaped cloud have beneficial force in improving the unsusceptibility , could suppress the growth of breast and prostate gland cancer and weight unit management .
Does mushroom compost make a good soil ?
Most mushroom cloud compost has a unspoiled balance of constitutional chemical compound , making your soil prolific . Plus , it has a good mix of macro and micronutrients for overall flora growth . The relatively achromatic pH cause most nutrients available to plants . Mushroom compost also improves the quality of sandy and corpse - like soil .
Is mushroom compost eco - friendly ?
This makes the compost an eco - favorable choice , as it is recycling and re - using a product that would otherwise serve no purpose . mushroom cloud compost that is used commercially usually has a straw basis .
What is mushroom cloud compost ?
Mushroom compost can either be compost specifically made for mushrooms or mushroom compost which has already been used ( call spent mushroom compost ) . Most gardener leverage spend mushroom cloud compost . The exact properties of each mushroom compost will vary , as there is no stock mode to make it .
How does mushroom compost pretend greenhouse plants ?
Spent mushroom-shaped cloud compost often bear Methedrine , and this has a liming effect . This can reduce the PH of acid filth and have a fertilizing force . ( This does not usually apply to fresh mushroom compost . ) Scientists Wang , Lohr and Coffey want to get out how mushroom compost would affect mutual glasshouse plants .
