Storing compost

[rary]

Most of us have several bags of compost at this time of year but where do you store the bags, I usually store mine in a shed with a big window which means the shed heats up quite a bit when the Sun is shining, or when i am sowing seeds or potting on I bring it into the greenhouse and use as required till the bags empty, but when storing bags of compost they should be kept in the coolest place possible, as high temperatures cause the nutrients to deteriorate, and only bring into the greenhouse enough to do the task you are carrying out, and just long enough for it to take the chill off the compost, as asked where do you store your compost

[Dynamite]

I keep mine outside in the garden.

Kind Regards..........Rob

[veggiechicken]

One bag in the GH for use and the rest in the garage until needed.

[ameno]

I keep mine in a windowless shed. It's cool in there this time of year, but it gets pretty warm in the summer.

[Bren In Pots]

Mines stood on the GH border and stays there until I need the space for my toms then it gets left outside.

[Small pumpkin]

Mine lives under the bench in the polytunnel.

[Thelma Sanders]

My delivery is wrapped up in a tarp on the path against the wall. I bring one bag into the porch or the greenhouse to use as required.

[bikermike]

I have to keep mine inside as foxes have a penchant for ripping them open...
At the moment, I have 5 bags of mushroom compost, 2 boxes of coffee grounds and a couple of bags of garden shreddings in the bin cupboard at the front of my house.

I have the annoying issue of needing to take some compost out of the shroom compost to test them. I've then got to either take opened bags to the plot, or bring pots back.

I try to get the stuff on the ground as soon as possible to let my evil army of sightless minions (worms to you) do their work

[Penellype]

I keep mine in the garage.

[Dynamo]

I store mine on a piece of ground where I'm likely to plant up last. I put it on top of leaves or cardboard or manure or other compostable stuff so the worms and microbes etc can work away at it safe from the elements.

[rary]

The reason for asking this question, is that I was having a talk with a nursery owner, and I while walking round his property I noticed that he kept his compost in an old brick barn and this is also where he did the potting on when I asked him why he did it there and not nearer his greenhouses he told me that the feeding in the compost deteriorates when it's stored where it gets warm, though he works with tons rather than 2 or 3 bags and if he had to add extra feeding when potting up it would be very expensive

[ameno]

The reason for asking this question, is that I was having a talk with a nursery owner, and I while walking round his property I noticed that he kept his compost in an old brick barn and this is also where he did the potting on when I asked him why he did it there and not nearer his greenhouses he told me that the feeding in the compost deteriorates when it's stored where it gets warm, though he works with tons rather than 2 or 3 bags and if he had to add extra feeding when potting up it would be very expensive

Gardening Which actually did a test on this just a few months ago.
What they found was that all compost deteriorates quite quickly (appreciable changes in nutrient level, texture, pH) when left outside where the rain can get to it (this is in sealed bags, but of course compost bags have holes in).
If kept dry but warm (like in a greenhouse), peat-free and low peat composts stil deteriorate quite quickly (although not as bad as in the rain), but high peat composts show only slight deterioration.
If kept cool and dry, all composts keep well far months, and only start to show any marked deterioration from about the 9 month mark.

[Stan79]

I keep mine in my compost heap...!

Oh... you mean bought stuff??? Erm, if i have to buy any, it goes under the bench in the potting shed.

[Jungle Jane]

Ive got one bag in the kitchen I’ve been using all the time & one bag in the front room unopened,all at room temperature for my plant nursery house. Outside there’s loads of used compost in old compost bags on the north facing side of the patio,I use that for my seed potatoes & other containers soon I don’t bring that compost in the house. Never noticed deterioration but I use seaweed feed,when I’m using the old compost there’s always a lot of worms & centipedes that eat slug eggs in the bags,a lot of worm castings I feel like it’s got more organic matter in it than when I bought it.

[Sweet savory]

I read this thread with interest. I keep mine outside in sun for part of the day but under cover from overhanging roof. No facility to have both in shade and under cover. Will think about adding a bit of fertiliser to stored compost before using in future although longer term plantings get added nutrients anyway