Spent mushroom compost

135man

Anyone use this stuff what's it like ? I heard its dangerous because of the fumes but great for land

reilig

We used it to bed cattle years ago. When spread on land it killed any rushes and they never grew back.

Miname

I worked in mushroom houses for a while when i was at school. it takes a while for it to break down. we used to stockpile it and then after a couple of years it would be spread on the ground. i have no idea of the nutrient value, but its bound to be good, it does make grasss grow, but do expect a coat of mushrooms on your fields.

MFdaveIreland

Daft question but hows it made? Seen it on done deal a few times, wonder would it be good as a topsoil for gardens or even spread thick on fields

tabby aspreme

The compost is made from wheaten straw, chicken litter and gypsum , as far as I know

Miname

tabby aspreme wrote: »

The compost is made from wheaten straw, chicken litter and gypsum , as far as I know

you'll have the layer of peat on top too.

135man

It seems like good stuff but expensive to transport as I'm living down the country it would be handy as Reilig says it will kill rushes !!

O.A.P

MFdaveIreland wrote: »

Daft question but hows it made? Seen it on done deal a few times, wonder would it be good as a topsoil for gardens or even spread thick on fields

Horse **** and straw (bedding) mixed with mushroom spores.
It is used over and over again until its spent.
Turf dust or peat moss would be as good maybe better

coolshannagh28

Serious stuff to kill rushes is full of lime and is a great soil conditioner take it any time I can get it

Farrell

coolshannagh28 wrote: »

Serious stuff to kill rushes is full of lime and is a great soil conditioner take it any time I can get it

How do you spread it? Side slinger?

blue5000

It is very good on tillage land, as it is organic matter.

coolshannagh28

Farrell wrote: »

How do you spread it? Side slinger?

Put it on heavy with power box level it rough and disc or chain harrow in.
Alternatively contractor with rear discharge muck spreader for lighter application

gozunda

coolshannagh28 wrote: »

Serious stuff to kill rushes is full of lime and is a great soil conditioner take it any time I can get it

The lime levels can be too much for some soil situations. It is recommended to compost for at least 6-12 months. Can also contain significant amounts of chemicals used in Mushroom growing. Know there was some movement to restrict some of these a while back.

Markcheese

Always a bit surprised that it doesn't go back to the farms supplying the straw...

6480

i spread it all the time , i put 10 tonne to the acre and it grows grass like hell , i wouldnt reseed a field without it

135man

Would it be good for peaty land I would love to get some to experiment with it

Hagimalone

do you have to let it rot before spreading or can you spread it straight away? as previous poster, would it be good for peat ground that's low in ph.

elperello

If you get it in the growing bags stick a couple into a dark corner of a shed and you will get some mushrooms.
I guess what is classed "spent" commercially still has some life in it.