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  • #1

    Compost

    Having extracted a load of compost from the heap recently, I was wondering if it's better to dig this in now, or in the spring?

    For no good reason I'd vaguely thought it would be better in the spring, but last year I appeared to get better results by doing it in the autumn.
    Garden Grower
    Twitter: @JacobMHowe
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Autumn digging works well. But anytime is OK as long as the compost is well rotted. Autumn is preferred because the soil can still be dug (not waterlogged or frozen) and it is free of veg.
    Mark

    Vegetable Kingdom blog

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    • #3
      I always mulch, never dig in. The worms prefer it on the surface, and it suppresses weeds too if left on the surface.

      Autumn or spring, but don't apply to frozen or dry soil
      Last edited by Two_Sheds; 28-10-2010, 06:16 PM.
      All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.

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      • #4
        Thanks both -- I tend to hoe it in to the top couple of inches of topsoil.
        Garden Grower
        Twitter: @JacobMHowe

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        • #5
          2s beat me to it - I was going to say that it's better to mulch, and let worms drag it down into the soil over time. I'm not an out-and-out no-digger, but I don't dig too much.
          Tour of my back garden mini-orchard.

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          • #6
            Like T.S. & Stephen I tend to use my homemade compost as more of a mulch & just lightly fork it onto the top surface of the soil in the autumn.
            Last edited by SueA; 29-10-2010, 11:53 AM.
            Into every life a little rain must fall.

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            • #7
              but if you have a raised bed the worms wont be able to drag it down

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              • #8
                Originally posted by Ruud View Post
                but if you have a raised bed the worms wont be able to drag it down
                why not?

                So long as your raised bed has its bottom in contact with soil, the worms will still do their thing
                Last edited by Two_Sheds; 30-10-2010, 07:27 AM.
                All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by Ruud View Post
                  but if you have a raised bed the worms wont be able to drag it down
                  Hold on, I'll just go and stop the worms in my raised bed doing it (sorry, a bit TIC!)
                  Last edited by Suky; 30-10-2010, 02:22 PM.

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                  • #10
                    I have a raised veg. bed & it has worms in, I suppose if you've built one on concrete or something then you would only have worms to do the work for you if you added a bit of garden soil to it but I still think the little devils would find their way in & turn it over for you!
                    Into every life a little rain must fall.

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                    • #11
                      Originally posted by SueA View Post
                      I have a raised veg. bed & it has worms in, I suppose if you've built one on concrete or something then you would only have worms to do the work for you if you added a bit of garden soil to it but I still think the little devils would find their way in & turn it over for you!
                      mines off the ground so i dont get any

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