| I just started a raised bed garden about a year ago. I used a 50/50 mix of soil and mushroom soil bought from my local dealer. I would like to know your thoughts on this type of mixture and what I might add to it to make it a decent soil. I understand that the mushroom soil is probably weak in nutrients due to the mushrooms that were raised in it. Is a fertilizer (I use 10-10-10) enough to make the garden productive? Is there anything else that you could suggest that would make it more productive? Thanks for your help.... |
| The very best advice I can give you is to run some basic soil tests and find out for sure about the existing soil mix; there is just no way to tell just by looking at it, and top soil and mushroom soil can vary widely in their composition and analysis. As a rule of thumb, the complete fertilizer should be fine to use although it may be over or undersupplying one or more of the nutrients -- the soil tests will indicate where you need to be supplementing and where you don't. It is a good idea to keep on "feeding" your soil by regularly adding more organic matter such as compost or rotted leaves or aged stable manure and bedding. Using a natural mulch will also feed the soil as it breaks down over time. If nothing else, you really should check the pH. The only other possible addition would be a bit of sand to assist with drainage, but this would depend on how well draining the existing mix is. Your County Extension (622-4225) should be able to help you with the tests and interpreting the results. |
