Re: [Rose-list] ?mushroom? compost/correction

**j*@uswest.net**

Hi Susan,
Perhaps that is why I had never heard of the "mushroom compost" The soil here is
very alkaline, thus my clematis are happy clams and my roses look a little sad.
I was just outside surveying the premises and noticed again how yellow my
evergreens are. I bought some Muracid (water soluable spray on kind), but I was
just thinking, what could I put in the soil around my roses, pines, rhodies,
azealias,yews,etc. to shange to the ph to more acidic? I am guessing that
poppies, wildflowers and such prefer the alkaline???
  A few years ago, this would have never occured to me.  A little information
can certainly improve ones garden.
Where did I read, if you have a dollar, spend  90 cents on the soil and 10 cents
on the plant!
Julie in Utah

Saxton, Susan wrote:

> Actually, I think your reasoning was quite logical.  Garden compost is
> ground up garden waste.  Why shouldn't mushroom compost be ground up
> mushrooms?
>
> But I would like to correct one thing.  I don't have the information here
> with me at work, but mushroom compost is a lot more than just manure,
> composted.  Whitney Farms puts out a neat little pamphlet that explains
> their various products and what they are for.  I remember reading about the
> mushroom compost and it is a specific blend of things, including manure, but
> many other things too.  I believe they have a web site if you want more
> information.
>
> Sounds like some of you are getting some "bad stuff" from people who are
> disreputable and praying on people's lack of understanding about the
> differences.  Shame on them!
>
> Mushroom compost wouldn't be for "everyone" anyway.  Here in Oregon we have
> very acidic soil, and mushroom compost is more alkaline, so it probably
> balances out our soil.  But the rhodies and camellias I have love acid soil,
> so I don't use the mushroom compost around them.  Just garden compost.  But
> when I plant clematis, who are lime lovers (alkaline), not only do I use the
> mushroom compost, but I add a handful of lime to the hole.
>
> If you lived somewhere with alkaline soil, depending on what you are
> growing, you might do more harm than good to your soil balance.
>
> I'm not smart enough to understand all the ins and outs of ph, etc., etc.,
> about composting, but learning what type of soil you have and what the
> plants you want to grow love is a slow process, but will really enhance your
> results.  I figure I can just absorb a little bit at a time of all there is
> to learn about gardening, so I just take it bit by bit and do what I can,
> expanding my use of what I've learned each year!
>
> Susan Saxton, zone 6b
> For mine is a little old fashioned garden where the flowers come
> together to praise the Lord and teach all who look upon them to do
> likewise.
> Celia Thaxter
>
> I AM in shape.  ROUND is a shape!
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: julieg1000@uswest.net [j*@uswest.net]
> > Sent: Wednesday, May 12, 1999 8:49 PM
> > To: rose-list@mallorn.com
> > Subject: Re: [Rose-list] ?mushroom? compost
> >
> >
> > GEEZ, What a dummy I am!  I thought you meant ground up mushrooms or
> > something from their growing places, now that I find out, it
> > is plain old
> > poop, I'm not nearly as enthralled!
> > Julie in Utah
> >
> > elle wrote:
> >
> > > Donna asked what mushroom compost consisted of..and it
> > appears that there
> > > are as many versions of this vague description as there are places
> > > selling it.
> > > I got what I believe to be good old oregon steer poop with some well
> > > rotten hay mixed in.
> > > Others have others have gotten a better mixture of steer
> > and compost.
> > > As I just got my 2nd delivery of roses from J&P today, I
> > will see the
> > > difference between planting the roses in soil amended with steer and
> > > compost or soil just compost mixed in.
> > > I will dig in some steer around the roses planted last week though.
> > > As for bulbs, I throw in a bulb food and compost when I
> > plant them..I
> > > haven't used bone meal for years for some reason..maybe
> > because I began
> > > composting.
> > > I really appreciate this list..I have gotten so many good
> > ideas saved for
> > > additions (sometime) to my mixed bed gardens and a new
> > interest in Old
> > > Roses.
> > >
> > >  elle/cedar mill OR
> > >  north end of the willamette valley
> > >  AHS heat zone 3
> > >  USDA Zone 6
> > >  Sunset Zone 8
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
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> >
> >
> >
> >
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