Waste Not Want Not, Compost Style

The nights are getting darker earlier (not that I would know as I’m already asleep way before it gets dark) so it must be getting towards the end of the growing season. So, what do you do with your compost in containers and grow bags once your plants have stopped producing? Read on for my top tips…

 We always have around 100 tomato plants in containers, so have heaps of old compost


We always have around 100 tomato plants in containers, so have heaps of old compost

The most obvious thing is to just dig the remainder into your borders and raised beds. It seems strange that you can add more compost each year and your beds don’t overflow. It’s the same with farmers spreading muck each year, the fields don’t become skyscrapers either! But if your old compost has been healthy, without any pest or disease problems, there are loads of more interesting and helpful ways you can use it in the garden:

Fill the bottom your tubs with old compost and top up with new

Fill the bottom your tubs with old compost and top up with new

A dumper truck helps cover the seeds with old compost

A dumper truck helps cover the seeds with old compost

Mix your old compost with sand and some fertiliser for perfect carrots

Mix your old compost with sand
and some fertiliser for perfect carrots

Those are my ideas for reusing your old compost, can you think of any others?

You might also be interested in my blog There’s a Worm at the Bottom of the Garden.

Big hugs,

Euan