Hello and mushroom compost / manure

Hi All
Just a quick hello from a new allotment tenant, its the first time we have had a n allotment so im geussing theres going to be quite a few questions asked although having visited the site and read a few threads some of my very novice questions havealready been answeared.
W ehave taken over a 187 sq meter plot that did look like a jungle but after 4 hrs with a heavy duty petrol strimmer its looking a bit better. The shed, compost bin and leaf mulch bin are in place and we have started digging the plot over ready for next spring.
I have a quick question to start with ! The plot has not had anything done to it or grown on it for several years and I have been offered a good quantity of Mushroom Compost for free would this be of any benefit to my plot or after digging it over am i better of just giving it a good covering with horse manure befoe digging over again ?

Thanks Chris

I use "blended horse manure" which is a posh way of saying mushroom compost. I've found it's really good for my acid soil because there's quite a bit of lime in it. Because it's been used for mushrooms it's well rotted and easy to use, but there are  not so many nutrients in it. I use it as a soil conditioner and mulch and bung in compost and fish blood and bone for fertilising. Becuse of the lime my brassicas love it!
Lucky you to have a handy (and cheap?) supply!!! I get mine from Garden Clever and with delivery it's about £70 m3!!!

Chris, welcome to the forum 

I've merged your two threads as they are essentially asking the same question and it's easier to have only thread running at a time 

Feel free to pop back into the Welcome forum for proper hello's if you want 

 

Just glad you found the merged thread, phew!

Hello and welcome!  Congrats on your new allotment.  I've personally had good luck with mushroom compost in the past.  It's very nutrient rich.  Best see what the source says about chemical pesticides/fertilizers, etc. I suppose.

 

because of the lime content peas and beans and brassicas love it but do NOT use with potatoes. I also find new small seeds (such as salad stuff) do not germinate well in recently applied mushroom compost so I only would use where plants will be set out if you can. It is an excellent conditioner for soils but dont go overboard if pH already on teh limey side. Fresh manure has its problems as well as it can be very strong, can burn plants and will lead soil to be more acidic.
R