advise about reusing compost please

[suzan]

Hi,
Last year was my first time at growing my own veg and most of it was grown in containers, now i would like to know if i can grow tomatoes, carrots and onions in the same compost as i grew them in last year?
I have bought some blood fish and bone fertiliser because i have read this is good but i dont know what i should do with it so was wondering if i can add this to my used compost.

Thank you for reading my post and i now look forward to your replies

[hamesy]

Get some more compost and mix it in with the old stuff.

Any compost that I've used normally goes into a bed or reused some way or another.

[Richie88]

hi suzan
have a look at the thread re use of compost on 16 04 13 i asked the same question
and got loads of advice hope this helps

[keepitgreen]

yeah I always reuse like hamesy said it is a good idea to mix it with some fresh.

[Richie88]

sorry
06 04 13

[veggiechicken]

I'd use fresh compost for the toms and mix new with old for the carrots and onions.

[GardenNinja]

Hi Suzan, I'm in the same position as you and have reused all of my compost without any problem. I have some toms in containers with new compost to see how this does against the used ones. So far, there is no difference as both are doing very well (my earliest tom went in its final pot a month ago). There might be a difference in yield, but I will have to wait and see.

The main concern is disease and I would not reuse compost if the plant had disease issues the previous year, particularly blight on tomatoes. Also, the used compost has been depleted of nutrients so I have added Cal-Sea-Feed to supply the toms with calcium, magnesium and seaweed extract. This is in addition to the blood fish and bone as well as liquid tom feed when they start to fruit.

[Two_Sheds]

I would not reuse compost if the plant had disease issues the previous year, particularly blight on tomatoes.

Blight doesn't survive in compost.

It only survives on living plant tissue.

[Madasafish]

I leave my old compost outside in bags overwinter so it gets any rubbish washed out.

Then remix with fresh and FBB..
Been doing for 20 odd years no issues.

So far no diseases etc...

[GardenNinja]

Blight doesn't survive in compost.

It only survives on living plant tissue.

This is generally true, but the late blight pathogen Phytophthora infestans is also able to sexually reproduce oospores, which can remain dormant in the soil from five to 42 months (results vary depending on the research you read). From what I have read, oospores are more common in the U.S and Canada, but they are also present in the U.K.

Having little practical experience, I generally rely on research articles as a guide, especially when it comes to pathogens that may infect my veg. If you have successfully grown tomatoes or potatoes in compost that previously grew blighted toms, let me know!

[kentishgal]

I just chuck mine in the compost bin to mix with the new stuff for next year. Although I do use the old for earthing up potatoes or try and get a salad crop out of it before I recycle it!