Soil at the end of the year

[marmalade]

I grow everything in pots as I only have a back yard and not a garden

but one thing that has always confused me is what to do with the soil in the containers at the end of the year.

Do I throw it away (seems such a waste) as surely all the nutrients have been used up - or is there a way of making it viable again?

THanks

[Capsid]

If you use fresh commercial compost each year then I recommend trying to barter it for some veg/plants for next year from someone with a garden/allotment. It is very good soil conditioner.

[alibobsy]

We were only growing on a small scale last year, but this year have alot more beds so the stuff from the pots went on the beds along with fresh topsoil and compost, also added some to compost bins and even mixed some in half and half with fresh compost for the new pots this year (especially toms as they will get liquid feed anyway).

ali x

[coreopsis]

I stick mine (not all) into the compost bin-it makes it easier for the worms to get between the layers.It must be kept damp.

[marmalade]

we don't have a compost bin our yard is only about 3m x 3.5m

[susiewoosie]

I'm just going to add manure to mine to revitalise it. I can't afford new compost every year. This year I have a mixture of topsoil, mpc and manure so hopefully it will last

[marmalade]

is there anything that would do the job but that isn't manure?

[susiewoosie]

I don't know sorry. Do you not like manure or is it that you can't get hold of it?

[Eco-Chic]

Chicken pellets will beef up the exhausted compost and don't smell.

[marmalade]

chicken pellets? marvellous

a mixture of not sure where I'd get it, put it, how much to get (only have about 10 tubs see) or whether my very close neighbours would appreciate it

[Eco-Chic]

Well rotted manure doesn't smell unpleasant but does take up a bit of space. You can buy the chicken pellets by the bag or the bucket from most garden centres and DIY garden stores.

[susiewoosie]

I got my manure from Creative gardens, It came in lovely clean bags

[Lottieval]

You can get organic farmyard manure in bags the same size as for compost at most garden centres.