Compost in pots, what to do with it when the stuff you've been growing is done?

[blondiewonder]

Is it best to put it back on my compost heap? I'm thinking that's not really practical because I've got a lot of tubs? Can I put some manure on the top and cover for the winter?

What does everyone else do?

Regards
Emma


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[rustylady]

You can re-use the compost if you sieve the roots out and refresh it with general purpose fertiliser. Just don't use it for the same crops next year in case of disease buildup.

I take it you do most of your growing in pots and containers.

[Kirk]

Mine either gets deposited on the garden just to add to the soil in general, or if I leave it I may use it next year. Good for adding to a new raised bed if you start one off.

Often grow potatoes in containers and I will add half a bag of manure to a pot to increase the food available for potatoes. If you reuse it then you need to add something as composts are generally fairly sterile to start with, the nutrient present is added to this medium. So whatever nutrient is soon used and even washed out when watering.

One odd thing I have noticed is that if I leave one lot and reuse it the following year is that it looks darker and richer then the original stuff did. Suppose even compost composts.

[salome2001]

added to veg beds on the plot. they need the organic matter- heavy clay. I don't worry about diseases as very few container grown plants are on the plot as well. Even vine-weevil infested compost went on the beds- raked through to expose the grubs so the birds could get 'em!