Messed up the compost

exlibris

1. Can I use the compost I have made or should it be sterilised?

2. I grew tomatos in growbags last year. Previously I have then put the spent bag on the flowerbeds but we have had building work done which has removed the beds. Can I use the GB soil in the base of deep pots and grow shallow rooting crops. Or is it a case of overdoing the economy?

pboae

jennifernil wrote:

While peat is often frowned upon, several trials have found that the alternatives just are not as good. And having tried them myself I would have to agree. If you don't want a peat based compost then I would go for John Innes. It has more body and nutrients. The higher the number the more food is in it. For long term containers it is the best choice.

Kew Gardens are peat free, as are many local councils and the Royal Horticultural Society also promote it. If they can manage, your average amateur gardener ought to be able to cope. In any case, everyone will have to find alternatives soon, because there'll be no peat bogs left to farm.

Personally I find home made compost to be better than anything shop bought anyway.

pboae

exlibris wrote:

1. Can I use the compost I have made or should it be sterilised?

It should be fine to use it as is. If you aren't sure about the quality of your compost (i.e. if you think it may be riddled with weed seeds), then use your compost at the bottom and either sterilise some or use shop bought and top that up for the final few inches.

exlibris wrote:

2. I grew tomatos in growbags last year. Previously I have then put the spent bag on the flowerbeds but we have had building work done which has removed the beds. Can I use the GB soil in the base of deep pots and grow shallow rooting crops. Or is it a case of overdoing the economy?

It should be fine, although you could add some well rotted manure to the GB to pad it out and reinvigorate it too.

Linda32

I've never used that myself so can't say, but don't be so hard on yourself, I know its easy for me to say, I didn't do it. But I expect its happened before, I've dropped trays of seedlings before because I was sure I could carry two things at once.

katskorner

It will dry out and be fine - just be careful not to use it for very young seedlings till it has for fear of them 'damping off' - becoming waterlogged and dying.

angie_loves_veg

I am nearly all geared up for the seed sowing season (early march it starts - hurrah! my favourite time of year!), but need to get in lots of fresh seed compost.

Have you spotted any good prices or offers?

thanks in anticipation.......

tattooedhoney

Aldi have got some great deals - Today I got a mini greenhouse for £11.99 and there is seed and potting compost for 99p a bag.
And your local tip may do soil improver ( pre rotted compost) should be £2.90 a bag , but i went to mine and they gave me them for free as the bags were split and they couldn't sell them !

Happy growing !

angie_loves_veg

Thanks tatooedhoney- the aldi tip is a good'un. How many Litres did you get for 99p?

I am looking specifically for seed (and potting) compost offers, soil improver / multi purpose compost etc is too rich and dense for seeds and seedlings.

brindles01

If you can find rotted leaf litter (under hedgerows and similar) this is very good for getting seeds going.

angie_loves_veg

brindles01 wrote:

If you can find rotted leaf litter (under hedgerows and similar) this is very good for getting seeds going.

hmmmm.... I rot my own, so this is good news, after seiving, do I use it on its own or mixed with something else?