Solved: How to Use Spent Mushroom Substrate as Eco-Friendly Soil in Your Garden

Summary

In this episode of 'Just Grow with the Podcast,' host Big City Gardener explores the benefits and various applications of spent mushroom substrate (SMS). He explains how SMS, a byproduct of mushroom cultivation, can enrich garden soil, serve as compost, mulch, animal feed, and even has potential in biogas production and bioremediation. The host encourages listeners to connect with local mushroom growers to obtain this valuable resource and creatively repurpose it in their gardens and farms.

Takeaways

• 🍄 The podcast episode discusses the use of spent mushroom substrate (SMS) in various gardening applications.
• 🌱 Spent mushroom substrate is a byproduct of indoor mushroom cultivation, which can be repurposed in gardening.
• 📈 The medicinal and gourmet mushroom industry has significantly grown in the past five years, partly due to online content creators.
• 🏡 Mushroom blocks are used for indoor mushroom cultivation, and common substrates include oats, straw, wheat, and soybean hulls.
• 🌳 These substrates have garden benefits, making SMS a powerful resource for enriching garden soil.
• 🚮 Indoor mushroom growers often discard the bags after one use to prevent contamination in their growing facilities.
• 🌱 Listeners are encouraged to collect spent mushroom waste from local growers for gardening purposes.
• 🍄 SMS can be used as a fungal-dominated compost to improve garden soil and plant growth.
• 🌳 It can also serve as a mulch, providing organic benefits and potentially growing additional mushrooms in the garden bed.
• 🐔 The substrate can be repurposed as animal feed, particularly for livestock that naturally consume the components like oats or soy.
• 🔁 The concept of using SMS for biogas production or energy is introduced, though not detailed in the podcast.
• ♻️ SMS has potential use in bioremediation, helping to absorb and break down pollutants in soil, improving the quality of farmland.

Q & A

What is the main topic of discussion in this podcast episode?

The main topic of discussion in this podcast episode is the various uses of spent mushroom substrate (SMS) in gardening and other applications.

What is spent mushroom substrate (SMS)?

Spent mushroom substrate (SMS) is the material left over after the mycelium has colonized and mushrooms have been harvested from it. It is rich in nutrients and beneficial microbes.

Why is the medicinal and gourmet mushroom industry growing rapidly?

The medicinal and gourmet mushroom industry is growing rapidly due to increased awareness and the ease of cultivation, often promoted by YouTube content creators.

What is a mushroom block and what is its purpose?

A mushroom block is a substrate-filled plastic bag used for indoor mushroom cultivation. It is sterilized and inoculated with mycelium to grow mushrooms.

What are some common substrates used for growing mushrooms?

Common substrates used for growing mushrooms include oats, straw, wheat, soybean hulls, and hardwood pellets.

Why do mushroom growers typically discard the spent mushroom substrate after one use?

Mushroom growers discard the spent mushroom substrate after one use to prevent the introduction of pests like fungus gnats and diseases like trichoderma into their growing environment.

What are five ways to repurpose spent mushroom substrate mentioned in the podcast?

The five ways mentioned are: 1) Adding it to a compost pile, 2) Using it as a mulch, 3) Feeding it to livestock, 4) Potentially using it for biogas production, and 5) Utilizing it for bioremediation.

How can spent mushroom substrate improve garden soil?

Spent mushroom substrate can improve garden soil by increasing the fungal content, which is beneficial for plant growth and overall soil health.

Why is fungal-dominated compost or soil considered beneficial for gardening?

Fungal-dominated compost or soil is beneficial for gardening because fungi help break down organic matter, improve soil structure, and promote nutrient uptake by plants.

What is the potential use of spent mushroom substrate in bioremediation?

In bioremediation, spent mushroom substrate can absorb organic and inorganic pollutants, and the microbes within it can break down these pollutants, helping to restore life to polluted areas.

How can listeners get their hands on spent mushroom substrate according to the podcast host?

Listeners can get spent mushroom substrate by contacting local mushroom growers at farmers markets or through online searches, offering to take their spent blocks for free.