re-using potato barrell

[Jothegardener]

Hi All

Just a quick question, I grew christmas potatoes in a large 1/2 barrel and now that I have taken them out can I use the compost for something else to grow in there or should I change the compost? I always use new compost each year for growing beans, toms and salad leaves that I do in containers, but this is a huge amount and seems such a waste as I have another barrell as well that I had summer salad leaves and radishes in last year and over the winter.

Any help gratefully received.

[fluffymuppet]

Hi,

Conventional wisdom is that you should change the compost, and that it is now fit for very little, except perhaps a mulch on your borders.

However, I'm with you that it is a lot of compost to waste. Last year I used the compost from my potato barrels to fill pots for Jerusalem artichokes and they turned out fine. Smaller amounts I throw on the compost heap.

When re-using compost you need to bear in mind that plants grown in it will probably need more feeding. And I would avoid using potato compost for potatoes again, or for tomatoes

If you've got deep containers in which you're not going to be growing deep-rooted veg, you could always use it as a bottom layer, with fresh compost on the top.

HTH
Muppet

[Jothegardener]

Thanks that is a great idea to use as a mulch on the borders I shall do that.

[Alice]

Hello Jothegardener, I think that compost would be fine for growing lettuce and maybe even carrots. It will certainly be fine for adding to the compost heap or as a soil conditioner in your beds. Whatever way, you get it back.

[DrBill]

I've seen it suggested that it can be mixed with sand and used for growing carrots. Not tried it myself but it sounds logical - carrots don't like a rich soil

[Jothegardener]

Well, I think that as an experiment I will grow some carrots in one of the barrells and put the other one on the borders for mulch and see how it goes!

[rustylady]

Try adding some general purpose fertiliser before re-planting (even Growmore). The compost itself should be fine, just maybe short of nutrients. I use Growmore as a base fertiliser, and then during the growing season use water soluble fertiliser, product depends on what I'm growing.

[Sue]

Hi
I agree with what is being said, I remember reading somewhere that it is the top layer that especially needs replacing so when my potatoes were done, I took a thick layer out and mulched the borders with it then refilled and planted carrots. Didn't give any extra feed and i got some good carrots.
Sue