Use for used potato compost

[Tracey]

Hi

I've planted lots of 1st early potatos in pots today. As you can't sow potatos in the same soil the following year, what should I do with the soil?

Kind regards
Tracey

[shirlthegirl43]

I throw mine into the compost bin

[Tracey]

That's what I thought I would end up doing. Would this cause a problem if I used the finished compost on the next years taties?

[shirlthegirl43]

That I can't help you with I am afraid, I haven't yet 'harvested' any compost!!

[crichmond]

I just spread it on the allotment as a soil conditioner.

[Sue]

Tracey
Last year I experimented with emptying out the pots, picking out the roots and stems (and the potatoes) and putting the compost all back in the pot having mixed in some growmore, I then sowed carrots in the pots - quite successfully so I got two crops from it.
I then used the compost for mulching and conditioning.

And it's often quoted that carrot fly stay close to the ground, don't fly higher than 23" (!) I've seen mentioned, well this method disproves that, my pots are taller than this so they must be getting a leg up.

Sue

[Norm]

I use mine to top up raised beds. If the compost used was peat based, check the pH at the end of the season as it tends to get a bit acidic after a while. I've grown all sorts in it - carrots, peas, beans, onions, parsnips etc.
As for carrot root fly, they have been found over wintering in trees, 60 feet up. They have binoculars and watch for the first signs of carrot tops then zoom down in squadrons.