Compost or mushroom soil? (2024)

FAQs

Is mushroom compost better than compost? ›

Mushroom soil also contains more calcium than regular compost due to the addition of chalk. Plants like tomatoes do well in a calcium-rich soil which helps tamp down blossom-end rot. However, calcium increases the soil pH level which is problematic for plants like blueberries that need acidic soil.

Mushroom compost is also high in salt, which can be problematic for some plants such as blueberries, camellias, rhododendrons and azaleas. These soluble salts along with other nutrients in fresh mushroom compost are too concentrated to germinate seeds or plant young seedlings.

Mushroom compost should not be used for germinating seeds or for planting seedlings in, as before they are fully established, they can be tender to high salt levels. There are also some plants that are sensitive to salt in soils even once mature, and these include blueberries, camellias, and azaleas.

Mushroom compost should be used with caution due to its high soluble salt levels and alkalinity. These salt levels can kill germinating seeds, harm young seedlings, and cause damage to salt-sensitive plants, like azaleas and rhododendrons.

Mushroom compost can supply nutrients and increase water-holding capacity of the soil. But mushroom compost can also be too much of a good thing for seeds, seedlings and young plants.

If you have a lot of acid-loving plants like blueberries, azaleas, and rhododendrons, cow manure may be better. If the idea of having to compost manure turns you off, then perhaps mushroom compost may be more your speed. Whichever you choose, both are solid choices!

Certain vegetables particularly thrive in mushroom compost due to its rich nutrient content. These include tomatoes, zucchinis, pumpkins, and root vegetables such as carrots and radishes. The nutrients in mushroom compost can help stimulate growth, increase yield, and enhance the taste of your homegrown produce.

Mushroom Soils Benefits

Improves water retention in the soil* Improves texture/chemical makeup of the soil (reduces compaction in clay-heavy soils) Provides an organic slow-release fertilizer. Naturally suppresses weeds.

Ideally if you have composted horse manure, cow manure, any kind of organic matter like mushroom compost, it makes no difference. Use it. Then cover it up with two inches of mulch or something to preserve moisture.

Q: Can I plant directly into mushroom compost? A: It depends on what you are planting. Direct seeding of wildflowers, turfgrass, radish, carrots, herbs, lettuce are known to do quite well. Transplanting of hops, tomatoes, peppers, kohlrabi, cucumber plants have also been possible.

Can you fill a raised bed with mushroom compost? ›

You can purchase the compost by itself or as a mixture of topsoil and compost, the Jack Frost mix. This is a great option for filling raised beds for example.

Strawberries are very sensi ve to salinity. Increased salinity is a concern when compost is applied at high rates, especially those origina ng from manure. Monthly EC measurements show that steer manure and spent mushroom compost have higher electrical conduc vity values throughout the season.

Horse manure is much the best general fertiliser because it's rich in organic matter and much more mellow. Spent mushroom compost is a good structure improver, but not that useful for adding nutrients to the soil.

So, if we look solely at the numbers, it would appear overall that compost is a better nutritive soil amendment. However, organic additives such as these have their own intangibles when it comes to comparing them. The microbes in each organic additive can tip the balance when it comes to which is better.

Although mushroom compost is great for roses, there are plenty of other alternatives to use as well. Roses bloom best in a loamy soil texture that doesn't retain too much water or dry out quickly.

To summarize, both products are a good supply of organic matter. Plants grown in good soil-applied to either of these products are healthy. However, to answer the question of mushroom compost vs worm castings, mushroom compost is the best choice due to its less time-consuming nature.

Loam Based Compost

Loam-based compost is a combination of soil, sand, and clay that has been decomposed and processed to create a deep, rich product that is ideal for growing vegetables. Loam-based compost can be purchased commercially or created at home using a simple composting bin.

Yes, you can compost mushrooms, and both edible and wild mushrooms are compostable. Adding whole wild mushrooms or edible mushroom trimmings and stems to your compost aids decomposition and enriches the compost with essential minerals.