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Type of food industry waste material
Spent mushroom compost
is the residual
compost
waste generated by the
mushroom production
industry.
Background
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It is readily available (bagged, at nursery suppliers), and its formulation generally consists of a combination of
wheat
straw, dried blood,
horse manure
and ground chalk, composted together. It is an excellent source of
humus
, although much of its
nitrogen
content will have been used up by the composting and growing mushrooms. It remains, however, a good source of general nutrients (1-2%
N
, 0.2%
P
, 1.3%
K
plus a full range of
trace elements
), as well as a useful
soil conditioner
.
[1]
However, due to its
chalk
content, it may be
alkaline
, and should not be used on acid-loving plants, nor should it be applied too frequently, as it will overly raise the soil's
pH
levels.
[2]
Mushroom compost may also contain
pesticide
residues, particularly
organochlorides
used against the
fungus gnat
. If the compost pile was stored outside, it may contain grubs or other insects attracted to decaying matter. Chemicals may also have been used to treat the straw, and also to sterilize the compost. Therefore, the
organic gardener
must be careful regarding the sourcing of mushroom compost; if in doubt, samples can be analyzed for contamination – in the
UK
, the
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
is able to advise regarding this issue.
Commercially available 'spent' mushroom compost is not always truly spent. It is sold by mushroom farms when it is no longer producing commercially viable yields of mushrooms. It can be used to grow further smaller crops of mushrooms before final use on the garden.
[3]
References
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