Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Compost Makes You Happy (No Really, it’s Science!)

If you’re happy and you know it, dig in the compost. If you’re happy and you know it……..

Don’t you love when science proves something you have always known? Scientists have now found a substance in soil that acts as a natural antidepressant.

Mycobacterium vaccae has been found “to mirror the effect on neurons that drugs like Prozac provide.” (Check out this Gardening Know How page for details).

Basically, as you are working with compost or soil in the garden you inhale this bacteria which stimulates serotonin production, making you relaxed and happy. But it gets even better; the effects of this bacteria can be felt for up to 3 weeks after it is inhaled.

I wonder if we can adopt our own lingo like “runner’s high” but call it “composter's high”? Hmm, not quite the same ring to it.

HAPPY composting, y’all.

I guess this is what happy bacteria look like.
 
 
Disclaimer: Please don’t allow the blogging of a silly composter to replace real medical advice. If you feel depressed, seek help from a medical professional. You deserve to be happy. J

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Growing Mushrooms in Compost


I’m a sucker for pasta with lots of mushrooms and creamy tomato sauce. But when I think of cooking this at home, I always wish I had access to really fresh mushrooms. Who knew one of my favorite dishes has a connection to compost.

You can grow edible mushrooms in compost!

I’ve never tried it and I’m certainly no expert, but I received a catalog from Field and Forest Products which details how to grow edible mushrooms in compost. Looking at all the varieties of mushrooms I could grow makes me hungry!

My coworker Chris told me about his experience growing mushrooms. He used a kit that included compost as a means of growing the mushrooms. Chris says he yielded plenty of mushrooms, but he’s not sure the amount covered the cost of the kit.
 
Another person at the office told me mushrooms can be grown in old coffee grounds. Hmm, I have those on hand. I googled it and sure enough, there it was.
 
Whatever you chose to grow them in, I think to be safe you would need to buy your mushroom spawn (yes, that is what they call it) from a reputable source. You certainly don't want to eat just any mushroom growing in your compost.
 
Does anyone have experience growing mushrooms? If so, did you use compost or coffee grounds?

I don't think I would eat these either...