Can I use last year's tomato compost for this year's potatoes and j. artichokes?

[Russel Sprout]

Hi all

Due to space limitations, I am going to try growing potatoes and jerusalem artichokes in those large grow bags you can buy.

I still have all of my tomato pots from last year and they still have their compost in them. I was wondering if I can use this in the grow bags, along with some fresh compost (or manure) and some soil (either from the garden direct or from fresh mole hills; something I just saw on a youtube video)?

If not, is there anything I can use the old tomato plant compost for?

Many thanks

Max

[vixylix]

Potatoes and tomatoes are the same family, so it isnt good practice. Having said that I've just planted my potatoes in last years potato compost - if you've had any diseases, especially blight I'd say definitely not.

It will need feeding (which it sounds like you're planning on doing) and then will be fine on non-nightshade plants, although again if you've had pests or diseases I'd be cautious

p.s. I am not an expert, someone else will be along soon

[Zelenina]

When I'm growing veg in the ground I try to follow the principles of crop rotation to prevent the build up of pests and diseases. I should think this would apply to compost in containers too. Potatoes and tomatoes are in the same rotation group because they are closely related, so I would try not to follow tomatoes with potatoes (or peppers or aubergines). Jerusalem artichokes are unrelated so they should be fine. But other people might have different advice from practical experience. You can use the old compost for anything that's unrelated to tomatoes.

[BUFFS]

I found using last years compost for growing tatties resulted in scab, a lot of it, so mine goes onto the veg patch and I use fresh stuff in my big tubs. As has been said the toms a d tatties are too closely related so I now err on the side of caution, for any tub crop its a case of fresh compost for a fresh crop, even though I do like to save money when I can I want a good, clean crop..

[Potstubsdustbins]

I have reused all my old compost for years, I just could not justify buying 2000ltrs plus of new compost every year, I have no idea how old some of it is.

I do however buy new to cut seed purely because it has been sterilised.

I only get rid of compost if I have had a problem the season before and I am careful to remove as many roots as possible.

I am also careful about adding nutrition, I am not organic so use Grow-more, specialist pelleted feed, and rock dust in the mix, followed by Miracle Grow and tomato food through the season.