Got an offer for a yard of compost delivered free-extra from a job a local landscaper did. He doesn't need it and the new clients just told him to keep it. They changed their minds about something. It's been processed, etc. He suggested I use it for mulch on my new rose bed (cause that's the one closest to the road) and he can dump it right on before we start planting. This bed was dug about 2 weeks ago and amended w/ sweet peat.

Never used this kind before. Any info?

I love that kind of offer. It's your lucky day.

I've never used it, but I know others who do use it and pay big bucks for it.

Thanks much! I'll be on the phone in the morning!

I've heard mushroom compost has lime or something in it so you need to consider testing your soils Ph to make sure its balanced if you use it regularly.

I guess you're right, CR. I never even thought of that. Everyone here uses it, but that's because extra lime can't hurt here. Living among the redwoods and other features of this location, we have highly acidic soil.

Just don't use it when filling holes when planting new bare root roses -- it can kill them. But it's a good surface soil amendment for established roses.

We used it in the latest rose bed, where I planted the baby roses I got from Charlene and some small ones from Euro-Desert, mixed with sweet peat (probably 2 mushroom compost to1sweet peat) and had wonderful results.

I'd say go for it.

I am so envious! I love mushroom compost..I have thought about going to a place where they grow mushrooms and getting a pick up truck full of the stuff...they only charge $20 a load.