Mushroom compost question

Annie Kate

We have bought mushroom compost before because we cannot make enough compost for our huge garden. This time it was steaming, smelly, had bits of straw, and attracted flies. I was horrified, but I think I need to let it sit for a long time before using it, right?

Monek Marie

Yes@Annie Kate

It is not broken down. If its steaming that would overheat and kill plants. The fact its smelly concerns me. Good compost does not stink. It should have a earthy fresh smell.

Annie Kate

Thanks for confirming that @Monek Marie.

Monek Marie

@Annie Kate

You can give it more time or add to it to help it compost better.

Do you have comfrey? Comfrey helps remove toxins from soil. It also helps break down composting materials more. Yarrow is also a help for copm[post piles

Annie Kate

We have yarrow; I should plant some in the pile. My son, who hates yarrow because it spreads so much, would have a fit.

But we don't have comfrey as such, although we have viper bugloss which is somewhat related.

Monek Marie

@Annie Kate Just cut up yarrow and add to the pile.

There are several other plants that help with breaking down compost piles but Comfrey and yarrow come to mind first

I love yarrow

Annie Kate

Oh, OK. Not planting it. LOL! It would have looked pretty; we have pink yarrow as well as the usual white.

Monek Marie

@Annie Kate Oh go for a pretty compost pile! Later you can move it (I would sell it and make money, lol)

Annie Kate

@Monek Marie I love that idea! We have lots of yarrow and it would be very pretty.

Annie Kate

What I ended up doing this morning: I had extra broccoli plants and couldn't give them away to neighbors (and didn't want to use Facebook's give away site because then I'd have to check facebook several times a day). So I made a little terrace around the bottom of the hot mushroom compost pile and in this little shelf-like area I planted my 42 broccolis, about 10" apart. They will either die because of the hot compost, or they will grow the happiest broccoli possible. That would mean a lot of broccoli soup over the winter--yum! And it's better to take a chance than to throw them away onto my regular compost pile where they would just get buried in weeds and kitchen scraps.

Annie Kate

And the broccoli plants are thriving, not dying!!

karenjanicki

That doesn't sound right. Maybe contact the company?

Annie Kate

Yes, I contacted them @karenjanicki and we did get a half refund. And in the fall we are going to spread it all over the garden and by spring it should be good. Now that the broccoli is doing well, I'm less nervous about it.

Alison

I bought a load of mushroom compost a few weeks back. When it was warm it was steaming also.

I could see 'straw like' bits through it. It had a smell...but that is the mushroom compost smell.

I put it around all my fruit trees, all my veggies liberally...right up to the base of the cauliflower, chard etc and I've had no trouble.

I have picked up a ute load of woodchips that still had moisture in it and found it steaming on a warm day. Things are just continuing to break down.

If you are worried maybe you could put a bit on one area of your garden you wouldn't be too upset about loosing as a test run. To be honest I don't think you'll have a problem. It didn't kill the mushrooms [I'd imagine], so I don't think it will harm your garden.

Let us know how you go. 🍄