Can I re-use potting compost?

Feb 25, 2011
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Can I re-use compost
by: Liz

Hi Meryl

This is an excellent question and if you use grow bags, garden in pots or need to replace plants like you, then it's something that needs answering.

If you look at it this way - compost is used to support the roots of plants and hold nutrients and water.

Seed compost only has enough nutrients to last a few weeks, potting compost a few months and you replace the water as it is used or evaporates.

So all you have to do is get a liquid or granular feed and mix this into your compost, then you can re-use it.

If you have grow bags or pots that were used last year, do the same thing - mix in some fresh fertilizer and water it, then you can re-plant it.

You don't really need to treat it much differently to the way you would your ordinary garden soil, you should fertilize that annually to replace the nutrients the plants have taken from it.

Hope that helps.

Liz

Can I re-use potting compost?

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Can I re-use potting compost?