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reusing compost

YnneadYnnead Posts: 250
in Problem solving
Hello
what do people do with old compost in pots? Can it be reused or do I dump it in the local park? I think I read somewhere that you can mix things into it and it can be reused. It used to mpc but over 5 years old. No plant in the pot yet.
What happens to old mpc btw? Does it just become dust or even soil? Sorry for all the questions but unsure on the process.
London
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Posts

  • RedwingRedwing Posts: 1,511
    I spread my old compost from pots and growbags around the garden, mostly in flower beds.  It doesn't have much nutrition but the organic matter is valuable for loosening up my clay soil.  The worms soon make good work of mixing it. 
    Based in Sussex, I garden to encourage as many birds to my garden as possible.
  • YnneadYnnead Posts: 250
    ah ok I dont have a garden unfortunately. Do you think I could add it in a pot along with fresh compost?
    London
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    You can plant bulbs in it.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • Lancashire LassLancashire Lass Posts: 367
    You could use it to at least half full your pots. Use new compost for the top half of the pot then any plants are being planted into fresh compost.
  • nick615nick615 Posts: 1,487
    If it's one of those with certain nutrients built in, it's inevitable that what the previous 'occupants' used will still leave the others in it.  Admittedly, we do have a garden but I proved this point by salvaging spent growbags from a nearby strawberry grower and growing healthy crops of onions in them.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Certainly don’t dump it in a park …. I’ve known folk who do that to be fined for fly tipping. 
    😊 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016
    I tend to reuse about half, in the bottom of post, mixed with slow release fertiliser pellets.  As Dove says, don't dump it in the park - that is fly tipping.
  • StephenSouthwestStephenSouthwest Posts: 635
    I reuse it, mixing in some old manure when I do so...
  • YnneadYnnead Posts: 250
    Ok thanks for the advice. Definitely won't be dumping in park.
    London
  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    If it has roots etc in it I put it into an old compost bag and leave it somewhere for a few months till they breakdown.  ( I  usually turn the old bag inside out so I know it holds used compost). To use I mix with fresh compost, the amount depends on what I am growing,  and or added fertiliser.  After that I spread it around the garden if I have more than I can keep or re-use.
    AB Still learning

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