[Veggie Virgin]

In view of the scares about contaminated horse manure and the fact that my local stables use woodchip in their stables (thus taking nitrogen out of the soil), I'd like to give mushroom compost a go on my allotment this autumn.

 Does anyone know of anywhere local to Hampton/Sunbury/Ashford (Middx)/Staines where I can get some at reasonable cost?  I've tried the internet, but it all looks scarily expensive!

[yorky]

In view of the scares about contaminated horse manure and the fact that my local stables use woodchip in their stables (thus taking nitrogen out of the soil),

I am not in a position to answere your question about mushroom compost, but the horse manure and woodchip would be an excellant soil conditioner if you allowed it to rot down for a while.

[mumofstig]

Thought you had to leave it 3 years if it might have aminopyralid in it?....Ok you can test it..but if it has it in i'm sure it's 3 years! 
I don't have a lottie so haven't got room to leave it for 3 years

[beansticks]

I thought the aminopyralid was used to treat straw,if so there would not be a problem with wood shavings,i might be wrong though.

[mumofstig]

Don't horses eat straw?......i thought the aminopyralid went straight through into the manure

[beansticks]

You maybe right Mum.

[Veggie Virgin]

I don't want horse manure for the reasons stated.  I am already rotting down some but, as several of you have pointed out, it takes a while.  Which is why my enquiry to anyone out there is for mushroom compost - weed free, for a start!!!!

[Gwiz]

There was a guy who advertisied on our allotments, that he sold mshroom compost by the bag load.
I did look into it, but it worked out, as you say, very expensive.
In the end, because we get the manure for free, I just use that.
I will try and get the number for you later today, one mans "cor blimey, thats a bit steep Guv", is another mans " that's pretty reasonable"........

[Kristen]

"I thought the aminopyralid was used to treat straw"

Its a weed killer used on grass, remains in the hay, which is then fed to the horse, so I don't think that Woodchip or Straw bedding will matter

Mushrooms are often grown on composted horse manure; I don't know whether aminopyralid will survive the process, or if it mucks up the mushroom harvest, but spent Mushroom compost may have the same risk?