What is Mushroom Compost?

Mushroom compost is derived from almost 100% organic ingredients, including composted hay, corn cobs, brewer's grain, and cocoa beans shells or soya bean meal.  These ingredients are combined and encouraged to undergo the composting process, after which the compost, as well as a mixture of peat moss and ground limestone, become the home for mushroom growth.  Once the mushrooms are harvested, the compost becomes an effective soil conditioner, offering minerals and nutrients.

   
Why Choose Mushroom Compost?

Mushroom compost revitalizes your soil and acts as an excellent soil conditioner for your lawn, garden, and flowerbeds.  The essential nutrients within the soil are slowly broken down by microorganisms, allowing plants to access the nutrients for a longer period of time.  As the microorganisms increase soil activity, heavy clay soils will be broken down, providing improved drainage. This soil activity will also build up sandy soils, providing moisture retention.

Besides being an excellent soil conditioner, mushroom compost will also help divert nature's valuable resources from landfill sites.

   
What is the Composting Process?

 

#1The essential ingredients are combined to allow the composting process to occur.  During this process , the material is broken down with the help of microorganisms, aeration, and the generation of heat.  Fresh compost is ready to be pasteurized once it has a chocolate brown colour, soft straws, sufficient ammonia (which is the exclusive food source for mushroom growth) and enough moisture.

 

 

 

#2Pasteurization is a necessary step in the process since it kills any insects, pest fungi, nematodes, or other pests that may be in the compost.  The fresh compost is transferred into the "mushroom houses", where it fills the bottom 2/3 of the boxes designed for mushroom growth.  The other layer, approximately 1/3 of the boxes, is made up of a mixture of peat moss and ground limestone, which has also undergone the pasteurization process.
Mushrooms growing
 

 

#3After the mushrooms are harvested, the mushroom house is sterilized again, eliminating any contaminants that may be left behind.  The spent mushroom substrate is removed by conveyor belts, allowing the two layers to blend together.
mushroom substrate

#4The spent compost, now called mushroom compost, is sterilized and ready to be sold.
 

 

If the soil is extremely sandy or filled with clay, spread a 5-6" layer of mushroom compost on the top and mix it with 6-8" of existing soil. 

If the soil is not too bad, spread a 3-4" layer of mushroom compost and mix it in with 6-8" of existing soil.

After planting your garden, loosen the soil row-by-row and cover it with an 11/2 inch layer of mushroom compost.  This will provide ideal air penetration for plant roots, thus reducing soil compaction.

The mushroom compost will also provide efficient moisture retention, and will hinder weed germination.

Cut the lawn fairly short and rake it to remove dead grass and dirt.

After corrugating the lawn, apply a 3/4 - 1" layer of mushroom compost. 

Rake it well to fill the spaces between the grass and the newly corrugated holes in the lawn. The lawn should be well watered to encourage growth.

If mushroom compost is applied yearly, there may be excessive amounts of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus in the soil.

If not using it as a mulch, mushroom compost should be worked into the existing soil due to its richness and the possibility of being blown away when dry.

You will not find any mushrooms within your mushroom compost.

 

 
 
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