Mushroom compost is an excellent soil builder and moisturiser, and these qualities have made it a popular choice for Perth gardens. So, what does mushroom compost consist of? Are there plants that don’t like mushroom compost? And can you grow vegetables in mushroom compost?
Let’s answer all these questions and more so you can discover the many benefits of mushroom compost for sale.
What Is Mushroom Compost?
Before you search for ‘bagged mushroom compost near me’, it helps to know what mushroom compost is. It’s an organic matter made from a mushroom substrate, which is the medium they are grown in. Popular mushroom compost blends are made of straw, manure, and gypsum.
The presence of saturated straw creates a fine particulate, while thoroughly blended manure and gypsum make a rich compost combination. Sometimes the compost is inoculated with mushroom spores to grow these fungi, or it can be used as is.
What Are the Benefits of Mushroom Compost?
Understanding the answer to “What is mushroom compost?” is the first step, but then it helps to know about all the advantages of gardening with this natural material. When the mushroom substrate is recycled into compost material after growing fungi, it offers a strong soil amendment, particularly for dense soil. The straw content breaks up clay soils and improves soil quality in lawns and flower beds.
Mushroom compost slowly breaks down over time, improving water retention and keeping nutrients in place to support plant growth. It works for herbs, flowers, fruits, and vegetables, so you can grow a wide variety of plants in your home garden with the right mix of mushroom compost.
It’s best to apply mushroom compost to the soil before planting season, whether it’s in alkaline lawn soil or a vegetable garden. Use up to 3 inches of mushroom compost, mixed into the annual or perennial garden bed around 6 inches deep. Regular watering and weed maintenance will help you get the best results with mushroom compost.
What Can You Grow with Mushroom Compost?
Perhaps one of the biggest advantages of all is that mushroom compost works for growing many of the most popular plants in Australian gardens. Mushroom compost with a slow-release suits plants in alkaline soil, including bushes, trees, vines, and perennial crops. Jasmine, lilac, Easter lily, goldenrod, hosta, lavender, yarrow, and shasta daisy are a few examples of plants that like mushroom compost.
Just keep in mind there are a few plants that don’t like mushroom compost, including fern, juniper, gardenia, hydrangea, and blueberry. Usually, plants that thrive in infertile or acidic soil need compost with higher nitrogen levels.
Mushroom Compost for Sale
Mushroom compost is a wonderful addition to your gardening efforts. A great soil builder, it’s also useful for keeping the soil moist, and it helps to break down dense clay. There aren’t too many plants that don’t like mushroom compost either, so you can rest assured you’re making a good choice for your garden.
Get in touch with Garden in a Bag today on 08 8183 7018. We have mushroom compost for sale, delivered right to your door for the easiest gardening experience!