SWC's and mushroom compost

March 11, 2015

Has anyone tried using mushroom compost in self watering containers...specifically Earthtainers?

I grow cukes and tomatoes in SWCs/Earthtainers in a greenhouse setting using Ray Newstead's design (Much appreciated Ray!), going with his recommended 3-2-1 soil mix.

That is...3 parts potting mix (with some added composted manure to charge it up)...2 parts bark fines....1 part perlite. I've read a lot of material on the TV forum regarding water absorption and soil compaction in SWCs, and have been careful over the years to try and recharge my mix as described in Ray's Earthtainer document.

As we have access to SMC (spent mushroom compost), I was wondering if it had any applications in SWCs?

Has anybody tried it? Thoughts on issues?

Thanks
B

JamesL · March 11, 2015

I know it's been done here, definitely been done with regular compost. I believe there have been both successes and fails depending on the amounts used.
If I can find a thread on it I will post it.
Water retention, wicking, oxygen levels would be the somewhat intertwined issues.

March 11, 2015	#1
Bragg Guest Posts: n/a	SWC's and mushroom compost Has anyone tried using mushroom compost in self watering containers...specifically Earthtainers? I grow cukes and tomatoes in SWCs/Earthtainers in a greenhouse setting using Ray Newstead's design (Much appreciated Ray!), going with his recommended 3-2-1 soil mix. That is...3 parts potting mix (with some added composted manure to charge it up)...2 parts bark fines....1 part perlite. I've read a lot of material on the TV forum regarding water absorption and soil compaction in SWCs, and have been careful over the years to try and recharge my mix as described in Ray's Earthtainer document. As we have access to SMC (spent mushroom compost), I was wondering if it had any applications in SWCs? Has anybody tried it? Thoughts on issues? Thanks B

March 11, 2015	#2
JamesL Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 1,992	I know it's been done here, definitely been done with regular compost. I believe there have been both successes and fails depending on the amounts used. If I can find a thread on it I will post it. Water retention, wicking, oxygen levels would be the somewhat intertwined issues.