What to do with used compost

[Dipzy]

Hello , I am new to the site (loving it) and to growing (that too) and sadly 10th on the list for an allotment so I am growing in containers on my decking, somewhat taken it over really . It is all looking beautiful and growing well but I am spending a fortune on compost.

Can I recycle the compost when I have finished at the end of the season, what would you advise. I wondered if I bought a big enough container and got some manure and mixed it all in could I use it again next year ?

Would love to hear your suggestions.

Dipzy

[Rowan]

Seconded - I'm container growing because nothing will grow in my soil, and it does need a lot of compost! Can it be "recharged" with nutrients? Coz it's getting very difficult to get hold of the peat-free stuff - I won't buy peat. If I just empty out the containers at the end of the season, in a few years it'll overflow into my neighbours' gardens!

[rustylady]

You can add fertilizer and use it again. If you have beds or borders in your gardens, you can use it as a top-dressing/soil conditioner. If you really want rid of it, then advertise it on your local Freecycle site or ask your neighbours if any of them want it.

[Dipzy]

I do want to use it again just want to make sure I get the best out of it as i've spent quite a lot of money on compost so far this year. I might get another compost bin and just use that and some manure / fertilizer as you say Rustylady and keep turning it over. Hopefully I'll have even better compost next year and not shell out so much money. Been expensive but I did blag 20 large pots from a local garden nursery.

[dinky_doo]

what i do is to make my own compost,i have 3 bins on the go at home and take it l down the plot when its done,i use the usual stuff,grass, cardboard,and house holdwaste i also go down the local market and ask for the trim that they cut off the veg. it soon fills up your bins and its free to boot.

[zazen999]

Mine generally goes on the beds as companion rooting???...so if I have grown onions, the compost and the left over roots go onto next year's carrot bed to add to the mix of warding off carrot fly. Beans - the compost would go on next year's brassica bed for the nitrogen. Old potato compost goes onto the borders for my OH to grow pretty flowers, or used as a mulch on them. Anything else pretty much goes into the general 'final' compost bin to bulk out the compost that is due to be used soon. It doesn't take long to break down if it is just fine roots. Anything thick will be taken out and go into the fresh compost bin.