Mushroom compost - manure or Mulch??

[thomasb]

Dear All,
I am thinking of getting mushroom compost...now or in the spring.  If I get it now I will use it as a manure on my heavy clay soil, while if I get it in the spring I will use it as a mulch in spring/summer.  Which do you consider will be most useful?

Thomas

[ken (69)]

Hi Thomas...Mushroom compost doesn't make a good mulch..too light.When it dries out it will blow away, unless you weigh it down e.g. with grass cuttings.

[Steven]

When i bought my house,the garden was completely bare (despite being 28 years old) and the soil had never been turned over.Rain used to puddle on the surface due to the clay so i dug loads of spent mushroom compost into the soil which has worked,but quite honestly-any organic matter will do.It also contains lime which can help break up clay and is normally very cheap!

[Justy]

I bought 20 big bags for £30 last year.  I was surprised at its appearance as it looked mainly like straw with bits of horse poo in it!  I dug loads into my clay soil and this year the digging is so much easier.  I would definately recommend it and will be buying some more this year.

[Andy H]

I used 120 black sacks of mushy compo on my first lott and it did the world of good in easiness to dig throughout the year. grew some good stuff too! and it was free!