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Compost, what is?

SwissSuzeSwissSuze Posts: 6
in The potting shed
I am an American living in Switzerland who for years now has been watching a British show about gardening! Guess you know which one...  Please can some explain to me: Monty Don is always talking about "new" and "old" compost. What he means exactly by this? I get the impression that he says "compost" when he referring to what I would simply call potting soil or good garden earth. For me, compost is what comes from the vegetable matter I put into a bin and let it "stew" for a few months.

Posts

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,384
    It has both meanings in the UK which is why it can be confusing!  'Compost' is sold in large bags by garden centres etc and is used for all sorts of things but mainly potted plants I'd guess.  Formulation varies and many specialist composts are available.  'Compost' from a compost heap is generally used as a soil improver and/or surface mulch.  All about the context in which it is mentioned, I suppose. ;)  
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • SwissSuzeSwissSuze Posts: 6
    Thanks Bob, it was as I supposed then. So when Monty says "new" compost, he probably means the real deal, and when he says "old" compost, he means potting soil, if I understand correctly...
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    I'd say "new" compost refers to fresh growing medium, "old" refers to growing medium which has previously been used to grow plants.
    Devon.
  • SwissSuzeSwissSuze Posts: 6
    Thanks, Hostafan!
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