Mushroom compost and peat moss

16 years ago

Hi,

When planting a new rose is it best to combine topsoil, mushroom compost and peat moss? If not, what do you suggest? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

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patricianat

16 years ago

I agree with Kathy. We try to put peat moss and mushroom compost in our new beds and then top dress with a super soil which contains composted hardwood, animal manure and sand.

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Comments (11)

kathy9norcal
16 years ago
I have had good luck mixing in peat moss and mushroom compost into my clay soil. Anything that breaks it up and adds organic material helps.
Kathy
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Hey Bluethumb, I was offline for the weekend, too busy in the garden. But I'm really glad to hear that your cukes perked up again. Like others have mentioned, I suspect that they were suffering from overwatering while in the peat pots. Then the stress of transplanting made them weak, which is exactly when the bugs move in for a munch. Now that they are perking up, try not to overwater. A good test is to dig a small hole in the ground with your finger - if the soil is moist down to 1 inch, you're good, no need to water. I agree with kimmsr that letting the plants wilt puts them under stress, but it is definitely a sign that they're ready for a drink. Many plants will wilt in the midday sun whether the soil is moist or not, so don't be fooled by that. Water deeply rather than frequently - once the plants are established, one inch of water a week should be fine. About your compost pile, your friend is right, there's no need to get fancy or to worry too much about carbon to nitrogen ratios and all the other technical stuff you'll read. Pile it up good, turn it once in a while, and be patient. I don't know how much space you have, but I like to use a 3-pile system, so that I have one pile ready in early spring, one in the fall and one on the go. I usually start a new pile or two every spring and add to it over the spring and summer. The bottom layer of that pile will be ready in the Fall. I skim off the top of the spring/summer pile that hasn't decomposed and use it to start a new pile in the fall and add to it all winter. The top of the winter pile gets turned into the spring pile, and so on. I'm not that scientific about it, I just use what's ready and turn what's not. You should try to have a good mix of browns (e.g. Fall leaves, small twigs, dry grass) and greens (e.g. grass clippings, kitchen scraps, weeds that have not gone to seed) so that your pile is never too wet and turns into a sloppy mass - but even that I don't worry about too much. Just turn regularly and use whatever looks closest to dirt. If you can recognize what the material is, it's not ready to use. If it smells earthy and looks like dirt - use it!
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alla_pa
16 years ago
We use mushroom compost as a soil amendment and/or mulch on all our beds. It looks good, it's much easier to weed, and you can't beat the price, just $15 for a truckload. Additional benefit is, when it rains mushroom compost mulch feeds all our roses, perennials, shrubs, and vegetables. We've noticed that the plants grow happier and healthier since we've started using mushroom compost. It was said that mushroom compost may raise pH level, but with our acidic rains, we did not notice any impact.
veelakin
16 years ago
I've found that its really important to take extra time effort to make sure that peat moss is VERY well mixed in with other ingredients, & that I moisten often during the mixing/working in process. I think the quality of peat moss available from the big box stores has really deteriorated. When I use it these days, I pay extra & buy it at a reputable garden center.
ceterum
16 years ago
I stay away from peat moss at any cost in the last 7 years. I use so-called soil conditioner, that is shredded or grinded pine bark. I like mushroom compost as well although here it is very expensive. But no peat, ever.

Potted perennials or 6-packs annuals often grown in peat and if I have no time to plant them immediately the peat dries out and kills the plants. It is a very bad planting medium IMHO. mt
kathy9norcal
16 years ago
Ceterum, I agree that by itself, peat moss dries out and cannot be wetted. I still think it is the best when mixed into heavy clay soil. It does wonders for my clay, and I don't need to use large quantities of peat for the effect.
Kathy
kandm
16 years ago
Where in the world do you get a truckload of it for $15? I paid $7 for a BAG at Lowes!!!
triple_b
16 years ago
That is funny because the planting instructions from HORTICO say that mushroom manure is bad for roses.
triple_b
16 years ago
about halfway down the page it mentions it in bold print. That was the first I had heard of it. But then being a relative noob...
I think they just want a person to be very aware of the ingredients because of potential salt levels.

Here is a link that might be useful: planting instructions from hortico
alla_pa
16 years ago
kandm,

There are many mushroom growers in PA. For example, Kennett Square, home to Longwood Gardens, is sometimes referred to as Mushroom Capital of the World. A small mushroom growing company is located about 20 min from my house. After they grow mushrooms for a certain time, they pile the used soil outside, pasteurize it with hot steam, let it age, and then they sell it. Some of the mushroom growers give their mushroom compost for free, but they are about 1- 1,5 hours away.

triple b,

Probably, Hortico was not exactly clear with their statement.
It is not recommended to plant seedlings in pure mushroom compost, but mixing it with soil is fine. Unpasteurized mushroom soil may contain some insects and seeds, hot and not completely aged mushroom soil is not good for the tender roots of very young plants. But aged mushroom compost is ... well compost.
Here is a link to the site of The American Mushroom Institute http://www.americanmushroom.org/compost.htm
triple_b
16 years ago
ok let's blame hortico then. heehee. works for me.

Mushroom compost and peat moss

patricianat

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kathy9norcal

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