Spent compost - ok for sowing?

[chris]

I've a fair amount of compost in potato planter sacks that I've left outside to weather (i.e. no room in beds, or in daleks) which grew spuds in, and then followed up with carrots in the same compost.

I believe that seed sowing compost isn't high in nutrient - which I'm guessing that this compost will be in the same sort of state. If I sieve could I sow seeds in it, or is it not worth the hassle? Would it need anything mixing in it?

[Flummery]

In theory it should be ok - but it will no doubt have all sorts of seeds in it, blowing about in the garden. It won't be sterile. Also, be aware that tomatoes and potatoes are the same family and disease can be transferred from one to the other. I usually put spent compost on the garden as a top dressing or into the compost bins to 'cook' a bit.

[ginger ninger]

I'm with Flum on this one Chris, chuck it on the garden, but make sure there's no little potatoes left behind in it first or you'll have tatties all over the place.

[northepaul]

ditto what they said - particularly the potato tomato family thing

[zazen999]

One of the main things with growing good veg is to get your seeds off to a healthy start.

Which for me means using good seed compost.

[vegnut]

I use my spent compost for sowing carrots and parsnips, either making a V in the ground or making a hole for station sowing. Fill the V or the hole, sow the seed and sprinkle some mixed soil and compost over the top so it doesnt dry out as quickly as just compost.

[arpoet]

I use spent compost to start my onion sets off in the greenhouse.
I use those little 15 comparment plasic trays loosely filled and damp. Its soft so it wont damage the onion sets base and once the roots get esblished and top start to show i transplant each cell into the lottie when conditions are right.
roger

[chris]

I'd not thought about weed seeds, etc.. good points! I'll pop and get some seed sowing compost tomorrow.

[Kristen]

I use some of mine in Tubs and Urns - with the "hundreds and thousands" slow release fertilizer and a bit of well rotted manure at the bottom (and some water retaining gel - but I only put that in the bottom half because once it gets near the top it seems to work its way to the surface and the birds nick it).

I mix some 50:50 with sharp sand for Carrots in containers (sounds like you already did that)