Baked MPC

[muddled]

A good tip I got years ago, I forget where from now
(apologies if everyone already knows this)

Compost for seed sowing doesn't need high fertility, in fact, rich compost can inhibit germination.
Instead of buying in new for spring sowings, I simple bake last years multi purpose in the oven!

This kills any nasties that have accumulated, be they bacterial or beasty, and sterilises the compost ready for your seeds. It also warms the comost thoroughly and leaves it fine and friable.
Just pop in an old roasting tray ready to bung in the oven after you've cooked your dinner to utilise the residual heat.

[sparrow100]

Just don't nuke it in the microwave, particularly if it's peat-based.

Won't be repeating that experiment in a hurry.

[roitelet]

I was considering using leaf mould as a seed sowing medium this year. I was thinking of putting it in a closed tin box on top of the wood burner to sterilize it. Would this work?

[muddled]

I expect so roitelet, presumably it would stew in its own juices, so to speak!

Please elaborate Sparrow!
I'm having a rotten morning and I've a feeling that tale would cheer me up.....

[Potstubsdustbins]

Personally I would not put anything wet/damp in a closed metal box on a heat source.

[sparrow100]

For muddled:

I had a huge problem with fungus gnats one year. I decided I needed to sterilise the (damp, peat-based) compost. Microwaves always strike me as quicker...

I piled a pyrex bowl full, whacked it in, full power 5 minutes. Smoke poured out of the microwave. The peat/compost didn't cool down for HOURS. And it was burnt in the middle.

Had to have a large snifter of gin to calm me down...

[Kirk]

My old compost goes on the garden, a small bag of new seed stuff is £1(cheapo stuff) or £2(Not quite as cheapo stuff) from Wilkinsons.

[Scoot]

I'll be using my compost again this year. Just gunna add some growmore to it.