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Keeping compost Outside over winter

TemplarassTemplarass Posts: 4
in Problem solving
Hello,

having just filled a great big planter with 400 litres of multi purpose compost, I’m now unlikely to plant anything in it until the spring
will I be ok just to leave it to the elements for the next 6 months or do I need to do anything to stop all the nutrients washing away or going ‘bad’?

I’m brand new to gardening and struggling to find an answer on the web.

Thanks
tom

Posts

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    Covering it with something waterproof would help, but you'll probably still need to add nutrients just before you plant, such as Fish, blood and bone.  MPC is less than ideal for use if your containers will be home for long term plantings.  What do you plan on growing in it next year?
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • TemplarassTemplarass Posts: 4
    That’s great thank you.

    I’m going to be planting black bamboo.  For future reference what would have been better?

    I mixed the compost with a fair amount of top soil If that helps?

  • TemplarassTemplarass Posts: 4
    Just to add it was multi purpose compost with “added John innes”
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    Mixed with the top soil, it should be ok.
    Add some fertiliser before planting.
    I would cover over winter.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    I agree;  The fact that you have mixed it with topsoil is great and will be OK for bamboo.
    A John Innes #3 is usually considered best for permanent plantings as it is loam (soil) based, but your mix will be close if you add some long-term, slow release food such as FBB when planting.  The soil level will drop in time and I top mine up with well-rotted farmyard manure each year, which also 'feeds' the soil and acts as a slow-release fertiliser, so I rarely need to feed plants in my large containers after the initial planting.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • TemplarassTemplarass Posts: 4
    That’s brilliant, thanks for the advice
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