How to Compost Wild Mushrooms

Dispose of unwanted wild mushrooms by tossing them onto the compost pile.

If your lawn or garden is overrun with wild mushrooms, you have already realized that mowing them down does very little to eliminate the problem. They must be picked by hand and disposed of--but how do you dispose of wild fungus safely and responsibly? Throw them on the compost pile! If you do not already have a compost pile, now is a great time to start one. Composting wild mushrooms keeps their bulk out of the local landfill and benefits the plants you want in your garden, so everyone wins.

Things You'll Need

• 4-foot by 4-foot compost bin, or a clear open space of about the same size
• 6-foot square tarp
• Shovel or pitchfork
• Wild mushrooms
• Grass clippings, plant trimmings, and kitchen scraps
• Compost starter, commercial fertilizer, or cow manure
• Garden soil
• Hose and water source
• 4 large rocks or bricks

Instructions

1. Build or assemble the compost bin, or clear all vegetation and sod from a 4-foot by 4-foot area near the garden. Lay out the tarp near the compost bin or cleared area.

2. Shovel a 3-inch to 6-inch layer of wild mushrooms onto the tarp. Spread them out to make a relatively even layer.

3. Add an equal amount of grass clippings and other green material on top of the mushrooms. Spread this material out to make an even layer. Repeat the layering process until you run out of material.

4. Add a small layer of compost starter to the pile. If you are using a commercial starter, follow the manufacturer's instructions. If you have a good source of cow or horse manure, spread a 1-inch to 2-inch layer of manure on top of the mushrooms and green materials. You can also use 3/4 cup of 10-10-10 or 12-12-12 commercial fertilizer to get the compost process started.

5. Add a 1- to 2-inch layer of soil from your garden. Avoid soil that has been treated with pesticides, as these poisons will leach into your compost. If your garden has been treated, use soil from another part of the yard. Do not use sterilized potting soil here, because the beneficial microorganisms you need for composting have been removed.

6. Use the shovel or pitchfork to thoroughly mix the compost materials. This will also incorporate air into the mixture, which aids and speeds up the decomposition process. You can also use the tarp to fold the pile onto itself to mix the materials.

7. Shovel the compost materials into the compost bin or onto the cleared area. If you are building the compost pile on the ground, use the shovel or pitchfork to spread the materials into an even layer.

8. Sprinkle the compost pile with water until it is about as moist as a damp sponge. Do not over-water.

9. If the weather is particularly wet or dry, cover the compost pile with the tarp and weigh it down with stones or bricks. This will maintain the correct moisture level. Be sure to turn the pile more frequently and monitor the moisture level if you cover the pile.

Tips & Warnings

• Turn the pile weekly, or any time you add new materials. Frequent turning will speed up the decomposition process and eliminate odors.

• You will know the compost is ready to use in the garden when it is uniform in color and texture. It will look, feel and smell like rich soil.

• Never eat wild mushrooms. Many are deadly, and look very similar to culinary mushrooms. You are much better off composting them and buying wild mushrooms from a reputable mushroom farm.

References

• Wild Mushrooms
• Composting in the Home Garden
• Composting at Home

Resources

• Composting 101