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Inherited very old compost

rhiannonmcdrhiannonmcd Posts: 3
in The potting shed
Hi there, I became a first time owner last August and this is my first summer in the house. 

I have found a bag of compost (opened) in the shed. 
I have no idea how long it's been there - at least a year, possibly longer. 

Would it be safe to use to sprinkle over my beds? Or in a tub for planting? There seems quite a lot of it so I don't really want to see it go to waste in these times! 

Thank you in advance! Rhiannon. 

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Should be fine, especially as a soil conditioner but if you want to fill a tub make sure yo add some slow release fertiliser such as blood, fish and bone or pelleted chicken manure as its fertility may be reduced and only lasts a max of 90 days anyway.

    If you haven't got those, go ahead and plant up anyway and feed later when you can get some.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • rhiannonmcdrhiannonmcd Posts: 3
    I haven’t got any of those and struggling to get stuff amid the lockdown, but I have some new compost so could do a little mixing. 
    That’s great, thank you for coming back to me so quickly. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    edited April 2020
    In addition to @Obelixx's advice, if you like things like nasturtiums, they enjoy poor soil, so they would be fine if you were to sow some in a pot with that compost.  :)

    Just had an extra thought too @rhiannonmcd - if you shop in a supermarket for your food, they will usually have some plant food. Just take a look next time you're there and see what suits you.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • rhiannonmcdrhiannonmcd Posts: 3
    Thank you! *cue me googling nasturtiums*
    And there may be some plant food in the shed now I come to think of it.... I will look, but I can probably get to a supermarket over the next few days. 
    Thank you again! 
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    Some supermarkets also have a rack of seed packets. Maybe worth a look for some nasturtium seed if you're in there anyway.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Yes - I should have said that @JennyJ.  Most supermarkets have all sorts of stuff  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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