Mushroom compost is produced during the process of growing mushrooms. It is excellent compost for the growth of fruits, vegetables as well as blooming plants. It improves the fertility and texture of garden soil. The mushroom compost is specially produced for the growth of mushrooms, but it is also suitable for other plants and vegetables.
To get the complete benefits of mushroom compost, you need to use it in the right way. A gardener or homeowner should apply it in the right way to make it blend with the soil and offer its nutrients to the roots of plants. Let us know how to use mushroom compost in any garden.
Mix it with soil
An easy way to use mushroom compost is to add it to the soil. If you want to amend your soil with the mushroom compost, add it in the proper ratio. Mix one part of compost to two parts of garden soil. Use a small bucket to measure the amount of compost you are mixing in the soil.
Use a Premix
If you don’t want to put yourself in the hassle of mixing the compost in the soil, you can buy a premixed compost. Premixed mushroom compost is already mixed in the soil in the right ratio. So, you can use it directly in your garden without the need to mix it.
Apply it before planting
Although you can use mushroom compost at any time of the year, the best time is fall and spring. These are the times to plant new plants for the winter and summer season, whether they are flowers or vegetables.
It is best to use it before planting the seeds or seedlings. The reason most gardeners prefer mixing it before planting is that it is easy to mix any compost in the soil as there are no plants. You can use any gardening tool such as a spade or shovel to mix the compost.
But when you have plants in your garden, you can only sprinkle the compost to create a layer and mix it around the plants. The disadvantage of the latter method is that there is a risk of damaging the roots while mixing with a tool.
Use it as mulch
Mushroom compost is not only suitable for improving the soil but also for use as mulch. To use it as a mulch, create a 2- to 3-inch-thick layer of compost around the stems of plants and shrubs. It offers a good insulation layer and protects the roots from extreme temperature and other weather conditions.
Mix the soil with sand
The water retention capacity of mushroom compost is very high. So, if you have plants that don’t require much water, it can make your soil soggy, leading to the rotting of roots. If you have such plants that are prone to rotting due to soggy soil, you should add 20 percent sand to your soil before adding compost to provide better drainage to your soil. Mixing the sand improves the aeration and drainage of the soil, offering your plants sufficient air and oxygen.
Test the pH of your soil
Most of the mushroom composts have a neutral pH, but some of them make use of chalk that makes them more alkaline. You can use alkaline compost if your soil is slightly acidic or neutral, but if your soil is already alkaline, it can increase the alkalinity more than required. Adding alkaline compost can be harmful to plants that love slightly acidic soil. If you are not sure about the alkalinity of your soil, test it using a soil testing kit.
Buy it from a reputed dealer.
You should buy the mushroom compost from a reputed dealer that offers high-quality landscaping materials. Some suppliers offer the home delivery service free, but if you want to buy in bulk, they may charge you for the truck service.
Use a Wheelbarrow
Put small loads of compost in a wheelbarrow and take it to the areas where you want to use the compost. You can dump all the compost and use a rake to mix it with the soil in areas where you want to plant. If you want to use it as mulch, simply spread it around your plants and on flower beds.
Mazzega’s Landscaping Supplies offer all types of landscaping materials for home gardens and commercial landscapes. They offer sand, compost, fertilizers and many other products that improve the soil quality of gardens and landscapes. They have a physical store in Kelmscott, Western Australia. You can also visit their website and check their products and shop online.Â
Final Words
These were some ways to use mushroom compost in a garden. Not only for mushroom compost, but you can also use them for any organic compost in a landscape. Following the tips in this post, can help gardens and landscape owners to use mushroom compost in their garden.