Question about Mel's Mix left over from last year......

EBE 3/8/2010, 4:07 pm

I am getting ready to start my second year with my SFG. Last year, I made a very large batch of Mel's Mix to fill by garden and had enough left over to fill two large rubbermaid containers.

I happened to open one of the containers last fall and noticed that the Mel's Mix was still moist and warm and had little mushrooms sprouting all about due to the mushroom compost that I used. There were also very tiny white worms or bugs in the mix. I gave it all a good stir and put the lid on it and haven't touched them since.

I am wondering now if this mix will still be good this spring or if all of the nutrients have been "burned" out.

Thanks,

EBE

**timwardell** 3/8/2010, 5:19 pm

I'm eager to hear what others have to say but I don't think the nutrients would be burned out since you haven't grown anything in the mix. The few mushrooms and critters you found couldn't have depleted it that much. But that's just my opinion. If it were me, I'd use it. Mel does say to save the extra mix and use it later.

Odd Duck 3/8/2010, 6:39 pm

I vote "Use it". If you're really worried, add a smidge more compost to "freshen it up."

boffer 3/8/2010, 6:56 pm

My vote is for using it. I'm guessing it's warm because the compost you put in the mix had not completely decomposed. That's not an unusual thing to find in bagged compost. Mushrooms growing out of mushroom compost is common for me. Without more details, I'm passing on commenting on the white bugs/worms.

SirTravers 3/8/2010, 7:01 pm

If you're concerned about critters in the mix just add some diatomous earth. It kills flatworms and tends to keep some of the other nasties away also.

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Question about Mel's Mix left over from last year......

Question about Mel's Mix left over from last year......

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critters.

Re: Question about Mel's Mix left over from last year......


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