Mushroom compost and cow manure are two commonly used soil amendments that provide numerous benefits to plants. Both are derived from organic materials and contain essential nutrients for plant growth. However, there are some key differences between the two that may make one a better choice for certain gardening applications.
Key Facts
- Mushroom compost is made from the leftovers of materials used to grow mushrooms, such as straw, hay, corncobs, chicken manure, and gypsum. Additional ingredients like cottonseed hulls, peat moss, soybean meal, and lime are often added.
- Cow manure is primarily composed of cow dung, and it may also contain straw or sawdust from bedding or litter areas.
Preparation:
- Mushroom compost is made by composting the mushroom substrate ingredients at high temperatures. After the mushrooms are harvested, the substrate is pasteurized with steam to eliminate harmful bacteria and mushroom bits, turning it into mushroom compost.
- Cow manure can be used in its fresh form, but it is recommended to be pasteurized or hot-composted to destroy disease-spreading bacteria and weed seeds. Matured cow manure is safer for plants and more pleasant to work with.
pH Levels:
- Mushroom compost tends to have an alkaline pH, ranging from about 6 to 8.
- Cow manure usually has a neutral pH, but it can be slightly acidic, ranging from 5.9 to 7.
Pros and Cons:
Mushroom Compost:
- Pros: Lowers the pH of acidic soils, makes an excellent mulch, and helps grow healthy vegetables.
- Cons: High in soluble salts, which can be harmful to certain plants, may not be suitable for acidic-soil-loving plants, and may contain traces of pesticides used to kill fungus gnats.
Cow Manure:
- Pros: Can fire up hot-composting systems, helps neutralize soil pH, and is beneficial for plant health and growth.
- Cons: Can contain disease-spreading bacteria if not properly composted, may become contaminated by weed seeds if not stored carefully, and cows given antibiotics and other drugs may produce manure containing these substances.
Ingredients and Preparation
Mushroom compost is made from the leftovers of materials used to grow mushrooms, such as straw, hay, corncobs, chicken manure, and gypsum. Additional ingredients like cottonseed hulls, peat moss, soybean meal, and lime are often added. The mixture is composted at high temperatures, and after the mushrooms are harvested, the substrate is pasteurized with steam to eliminate harmful bacteria and mushroom bits.
Cow manure, on the other hand, is primarily composed of cow dung. It may also contain straw or sawdust from bedding or litter areas. Cow manure can be used in its fresh form, but it is recommended to be pasteurized or hot-composted to destroy disease-spreading bacteria and weed seeds. Matured cow manure is safer for plants and more pleasant to work with.
pH Levels
Mushroom compost tends to have an alkaline pH, ranging from about 6 to 8. This makes it a good choice for counteracting acidic soil conditions and promoting the growth of plants that prefer alkaline soils, such as brassicas (broccoli, cauliflower, etc.).
Cow manure usually has a neutral pH, but it can be slightly acidic, ranging from 5.9 to 7. This makes it a more versatile soil amendment that can be used in a wider range of soil conditions.
Pros and Cons
Mushroom Compost
Pros
- Lowers the pH of acidic soils
- Makes an excellent mulch
- Helps grow healthy vegetables
Cons
- High in soluble salts, which can be harmful to certain plants, especially seeds, young plants, and salt-sensitive plants like rhododendrons, blueberries, and azaleas
- May not be suitable for acidic-soil-loving plants
- May contain traces of pesticides used to kill fungus gnats (organic mushroom compost should be pesticide-free)
Cow Manure
Pros
- Can fire up hot-composting systems
- Helps neutralize soil pH
- Beneficial for plant health and growth
Cons
- Can contain disease-spreading bacteria if not properly composted
- May become contaminated by weed seeds if not stored carefully
- Cows given antibiotics and other drugs may produce manure containing these substances
Which is Better?
The choice between mushroom compost and cow manure depends on the specific needs of your garden and the plants you are growing. Mushroom compost is a good option for counteracting acidic soil, growing vegetables that prefer alkaline soils, and as a mulch. Cow manure is a more versatile soil amendment that can be used in a wider range of soil conditions and is beneficial for plant health and growth. Ultimately, the best way to determine which soil amendment is right for your garden is to consider the specific needs of your plants and the condition of your soil.
Sources
- https://helpmecompost.com/compost/materials/mushroom-compost-vs-cow-manure/
- https://www.rollitup.org/t/cow-manure-vs-mushroom-compost.546682/
- http://tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=10560
FAQs
What is mushroom compost made of?
Mushroom compost is made from the leftovers of materials used to grow mushrooms, such as straw, hay, corncobs, chicken manure, and gypsum. Additional ingredients like cottonseed hulls, peat moss, soybean meal, and lime are often added.
How is mushroom compost prepared?
Mushroom compost is made by composting the mushroom substrate ingredients at high temperatures. After the mushrooms are harvested, the substrate is pasteurized with steam to eliminate harmful bacteria and mushroom bits.
What is cow manure made of?
Cow manure is primarily composed of cow dung. It may also contain straw or sawdust from bedding or litter areas.
How is cow manure prepared for use as a soil amendment?
Cow manure can be used in its fresh form, but it is recommended to be pasteurized or hot-composted to destroy disease-spreading bacteria and weed seeds. Matured cow manure is safer for plants and more pleasant to work with.
What are the benefits of using mushroom compost?
Mushroom compost can help to lower the pH of acidic soils, making it a good choice for plants that prefer alkaline soils. It also makes an excellent mulch and helps to promote the growth of healthy vegetables.
What are the benefits of using cow manure?
Cow manure can help to improve soil structure, provide essential nutrients for plant growth, and help to retain moisture in the soil. It can also help to suppress certain soil-borne diseases.
What are the drawbacks of using mushroom compost?
Mushroom compost can be high in soluble salts, which can be harmful to certain plants, especially seeds, young plants, and salt-sensitive plants like rhododendrons, blueberries, and azaleas. It may also contain traces of pesticides used to kill fungus gnats.
What are the drawbacks of using cow manure?
Cow manure can contain disease-spreading bacteria if not properly composted. It may also become contaminated by weed seeds if not stored carefully. Cows given antibiotics and other drugs may produce manure containing these substances.