Composting question

[Magiccat1978]

Hi

This is my 1st year of growing and I grew quite a lot in containers this year I was wondering do I put the whole lot ( compost and plant remains ) in to the compost bin or just the plant remains? i was thinking both as the compost will have no nutrients in it to use again and I will be adding pony poo to the composter so I thought this might help but am not sure. Can someone point me in the right direction please ? thankyou

[Jeanied]

I guess there is probably a thread on composting but here is my take on it all. You could put the plant remains and pony poo in layers- if they are really dry it may need water too - especially if you have one of the dalek style compost bins. If you need to get rid of the compost from your containers you could chuck this in too - all in layers - but if you think you could use it again with some added nutrients (balanced fertiliser probably) then it may be best to save it. I'm sure a wiser grape will be along with a better reply but since you haven't had one yet here's my twopenny worth!

[bobleponge]

Chuck it all in. Even though there will be minimal nutrients left in it, the compost will act as bulk for the soil and will retain water too.
The plant matter will rot down and provide nutrients, and when it all comes out its like a brown crumbly mix anyway, so it will all have morphed into wonderous stuff.

Well thats the theory anyway.

[ginger ninger]

Check you've not got any nasty's in your growing compost first (vine weevil larvae) they love container grown plants, I would take the plant out of the compost, shake the compost of the roots to be safe not into the bin, chop up the plant, (no roots) then put the chopped up plant, compost and poo in the bin mix well, serve in the spring with a side order off water....

[FionaH]

I dig left over tub soil into my veg beds as a soil improver. My compost bins are too full at the moment anyway