Adding FBB

[peanut]

This year I'm adding FBB to my old compost to give it a boost before reusing it. I'm planning on emptying my old spent compost into the wheelbarrow and then add the FBB to that.
Left to my own wing and a prayer way of gardening I'll either add too much or not enough.
So knowledgeable Vine peeps, how many handfuls or the like do you think should I add per barrow full?

[Jungle Jane]

I use a tiny amount but it’s quite strong so I don’t want to over fertilise,that can be harmful. I’ve noticed weeds growing in old compost so there is some nutrients in there,I’d add one handful sprinkled over in all areas,maybe two handfuls,I don’t add it before planting though,that seems like extra work? When I’m planting I sprinkle a bit around then but I do water with a seaweed feed within a week of planting out,so they get some enjoyment from that for a while

[peanut]

I use a tiny amount but it’s quite strong so I don’t want to over fertilise,that can be harmful. I’ve noticed weeds growing in old compost so there is some nutrients in there,I’d add one handful sprinkled over in all areas,maybe two handfuls,I don’t add it before planting though,that seems like extra work? When I’m planting I sprinkle a bit around then but I do water with a seaweed feed within a week of planting out,so they get some enjoyment from that for a while

Thanks Jane, I was thinking of adding a couple of handfuls per barrow load, then it's all ready when I want to use it. I've only used it as a sprinkling around established plants before.

[Jungle Jane]

Are you using last years compost you grew tomatoes/potatoes in? I keep that separate for carrots,cucumbers,melons,any non nightshades because of the risk of blight.

[peanut]

Are you using last years compost you grew tomatoes/potatoes in? I keep that separate for carrots,cucumbers,melons,any non nightshades because of the risk of blight.

No, it will be from flowers and beans.

[ameno]

I do the same with pelleted poultry manure. I usually add a good handful per gallon of compost.
I would also recommend adding some slow release fertiliser granules if you have them.

[peanut]

I do the same with pelleted poultry manure. I usually add a good handful per gallon of compost.
I would also recommend adding some slow release fertiliser granules if you have them.

Great, thanks Ameno I will do.

[rary]

For a barrow load of old compost I would add a handfull of BFB which would be about the equivalent of three table spoon fulls, then mix it well, then as ameno has said back that up with some chicken manure, though I generally add that to any pots that I am filling rather than mixing it in

[peanut]

For a barrow load of old compost I would add a handfull of BFB which would be about the equivalent of three table spoon fulls, then mix it well, then as ameno has said back that up with some chicken manure, though I generally add that to any pots that I am filling rather than mixing it in

Thank you Rary

[mrsbusy]

Oops!! Reading this post I have done everything wrong!! I had pots of compost from last year's Tom's and reused for growing spuds in 30 l pots. I livened it up with home made compost and BFB and generously used 1 kg for 10 pots.
so reading the posts I should not have used the spent tom compost for spuds and used much less BFB.
Fingers crossed for a crop - the spuds have made leaf so far. I did think I'd better get the seed spuds out and start again but just been away for 2 weeks and too busy to do that.

I was always told off at school for over seasoning my dishes in domestic science - I nearly killed the teacher with chilli powder!!

[Penellype]

I wouldn't attempt to repot the potatoes - you are likely to damage them. While it is not ideal to grow potatoes in tomato compost it isn't a disaster. Blight spores cannot survive in the soil for long without some living plant material to grow on, so you are not going to infect the potatoes with blight. A more likely issue is that because the plants are from the same family there will be a slight shortage of trace nutrients that plants from the solanaceae family particularly need. You will therefore need to feed them well with tomato feed to replace these nutrients, but that shouldn't be too difficult.

BFB is a slow release fertilizer, so while it is not ideal to use too much, you are unlikely to cause any damage.

[mrsbusy]

Ah thanks Penellype you have given me hope.