Spent mushroom compost, also known as SMS, is quickly becoming a popular soil amendment amongst home gardeners and commercial farmers alike. As an organic, nutrient-rich material, spent mushroom compost offers a natural way to improve soil structure and plant health. But with so many options on the market, how can you be sure to find a high-quality product near you?
In this article I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about finding and selecting excellent spent mushroom compost in your local area.
What is Spent Mushroom Compost?
Spent mushroom compost (SMS) is the leftover growing medium after mushrooms have been harvested It is composed of straw, manure, peat moss, and other organic materials that have been composted together
The spent substrate is then pasteurized to eliminate any pathogens or weed seeds. This results in an exceptional organic soil conditioner that is weed-free, nutrient-rich, and safe for use in gardens and farms.
Some key benefits of spent mushroom compost include:
- Improves soil structure and porosity
- Increases moisture retention
- Provides organic matter and nutrients like nitrogen
- Helps aerate compacted soils
- Boosts beneficial microbial activity
Adding spent mushroom compost to garden beds or fields can rejuvenate the soil, foster healthy root development, and promote lush vegetation growth.
How to Find Spent Mushroom Compost Suppliers Near You
Finding a good local source of spent mushroom compost requires a bit of research. Here are some tips on locating SMS vendors in your area:
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Search online directories: Sites like LocalHarvest.org connect you with organic and sustainable farms nearby. Look under the “Mushrooms” category or do a keyword search.
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Check municipal compost producers: Some cities offer bulk compost from yard waste that may contain spent mushroom substrate. Call your city’s waste management department.
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Contact landscapers or nurseries: Many landscape companies buy bulk SMS for their garden installation jobs. Ask if they have a supplier they recommend.
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Look for mushroom farms: Search for active mushroom farms within 50 miles of you. Then call to see if they sell their spent compost.
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Ask gardening communities: Join local gardening Facebook Groups or Subreddits and ask members for their SMS sources.
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Search Craigslist: You can find SMS listed under the “farm+garden” section or by doing a keyword search for “mushroom compost.”
Cast a wide net in your search and don’t limit yourself geographically. Having spent mushroom compost delivered is worthwhile, even if the source is a bit farther away.
Evaluating Spent Mushroom Compost Quality
Once you locate some nearby spent mushroom compost suppliers, you’ll want to assess the quality of their product before purchasing:
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Appearance: Good SMS has a dark, rich color and a crumbly texture. Avoid compost with undegraded woody chunks.
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Smell: It should have an earthy, mushroomy aroma without any ammonia odor, which indicates improper composting.
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Weed/pathogen content: Examine compost for weed seeds or root bits. Also ask if it has been properly heat treated to remove pathogens.
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Nutrient content: A lab analysis or nutrient listing should be available. Nitrogen content of 1-3% is ideal.
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Origins: Find out what materials are used to make the compost and if any chemicals are involved. Organic, farm-sourced inputs are best.
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Customer reviews: Check for online reviews or testimonials that praise the effects of that company’s SMS. Happy customers indicate quality!
Don’t hesitate to ask lots of questions before purchasing from a spent mushroom compost provider. A reputable producer should be transparent about their production process and final product.
Top Tips for Using Spent Mushroom Compost
Once you’ve sourced high-quality spent mushroom compost, follow these tips to maximize the benefits in your garden:
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Incorporate SMS thoroughly into soil at a depth of 6-12 inches prior to planting.
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For gardens, mix compost with soil at ratio of 1:3 to avoid over-fertilizing.
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SMS can also be used as nutrient-rich mulch around established plants.
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Add extra nitrogen fertilizer when planting in compost-amended soil, as SMS contains carbon but lower nitrogen.
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Avoid piling compost right against plant stems or trunks, as the decomposition process can burn them.
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Wear gloves and wash produce well after harvesting, as SMS is made from manure.
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Let bagged SMS age 3-6 months before using, to allow salts to dissipate. Or purchase aged, bulk compost.
With the right sourcing and application, spent mushroom compost can completely transform the productivity and health of your garden or farm soils. Follow the tips above to locate an excellent supplier in your region. Happy growing!
Mushroom Compost – Houston Store Pick-up
This is the right landscape supply store for you if you want to buy compost near Houston or in the surrounding areas. TGM is open to the public. Certainly, customers include homeowners, landscapers, landscaping companies, contractors, pool companies, home builders, restaurants, businesses, and more. Customers with a truck or trailer can pick up their order at the TGM Houston garden center. A team member will use a loader to load your order.
Mushroom Compost – Price / Cubic Yard
Texas Garden Materials has mushroom compost for sale in bulk quantities. Mushroom compost is available for purchase by the cubic yard. In fact, this compost is great for fruit trees and raised beds for vegetables because it has all the nutrients that vegetables need.
Specs:
- Mature Mushroom Compost
- The carbon source is sawdust, and the nitrogen source is raw mushroom compost from a mushroom growing facility. The result is light, fluffy compost.
Applications:
- Ideal for Raised Garden Beds
- Garden Boxes / Raised Planter Boxes
- Fruit and Vegetable Garden Bed
- Topdressing Garden Flower Beds
*Delivery is not included in the price. For a quick delivery quote to your area, please call us at 832-409-1931. Mushroom Compost – Price / Cubic Yard quantity.
Mushroom compost is perfect for a raised vegetable garden, raised garden beds, and topdressing flower beds. It is mature mushroom compost. This compost is also light and fluffy because it is made with sawdust as the carbon source and raw mushroom compost from a mushroom growing facility as the nitrogen source. Texas Garden Materials has bulk compost for sale by the cubic yard. One cubic yard of compost covers about 100 square feet at 2-inches in depth.
Is Mushroom Compost Good For A Garden Or Should You Avoid It?
FAQ
When should you not use mushroom compost?
Is bagged mushroom compost any good?
What do you use spent mushroom compost for?
What plants do not like mushroom compost?
How much does mushroom compost cost?
Compost can range in price from a few dollars to a few hundred dollars per bag, so it’s important to make sure you’re getting a good value for your money. Once you’ve purchased your mushroom compost, it’s important to store it properly in order to maintain its quality. Mushroom compost should be stored in a cool, dry place.
What is mushroom compost?
Numbers are calculated from a wet volume basis. Often referred to as “spent mushroom substrate” (SMS), Mushroom Compost is the composted result of a rich growth medium for mushrooms. It is made from agricultural materials, such as straw, straw horse bedding, cottonseed meal, nut shells, and gypsum.
Can mushrooms be composted?
Mushroom compost can provide your plants with adequate nutrients to support healthy growth. When composted properly, mushrooms can provide your soil with 0.7% Nitrogen, 0.3% Potassium, 0.3% phosphorus, and other trace elements. Mushroom compost acts as a quality soil conditioner and can be used to add nutrients to mineral-deficient soils.
Does mushroom compost improve soil quality?
Mushroom compost is a versatile fertilizer that can be used for a variety of plants. It is a natural and organic way to improve the soil quality of your garden or yard, and it can help to promote the growth of healthy plants. Adding mushroom compost to soil can help to improve the soil quality in a number of ways.
How do you know if a mushroom compost is good?
Characterized by a fine texture, black colour, and a pungent, earthy smell. It is produced by aging the spent mushroom substrate (SMS) for several months. Weathered material is better for greenhouse use, for sensitive plants or top dressing of lawns. Both types of compost have a pH of 6.5 to 7.5.
Can unused mushroom compost be used as a fertilizer?
Spent mushroom compost can also benefit certain types of soil. Spent mushroom compost often contains chalk, and this has a liming effect. This can reduce the PH of acid soils and have a fertilizing effect. (This does not usually apply to unused mushroom compost.)