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Using spent compost

Robert WestRobert West Posts: 241
in Plants
Hello, I have a load of spent compost from containers that have now finished. I was wondering whether it could be used for sowing seeds? I seem to recall that seeds don't need much nutrition. Anyone ever recycled compost in this way? I have Stipa Tenuissima and Nicotiana seeds I'll want to see next spring. 
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  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    Better to put it on the compost heap or spread it on borders, in my experience. 
  • Robert WestRobert West Posts: 241
    Ok thanks. I was actually going to put most of it on the borders as it seems to improve the soil structure a bit at least. Just thought I'd ask if there were any better uses. Thanks again. 
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Yes, I use it for seeds.
  • LindzHLindzH Posts: 37
    I found this interesting way to reuse I've not tried it yet but it's from reputable gardener who says no compost purchased for years. 
    I've used spent compost for seeds before though. 

  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    What is grazing Rye please is it grown because it looks good or is it edible?
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,719
    edited September 2022
    GardenerSuze said:
    What is grazing Rye please is it grown because it looks good or is it edible?
    Secale cereale
    It would appear to be used as mentioned..a green manure.

     https://www.thompson-morgan.com/p/green-manure-grazing-rye/TT38648TM?source=google-prodex&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_id=1732097994&adgroup_id=72263488230&gclid=CjwKCAjw4c-ZBhAEEiwAZ105RcJzkfxfEvOolwQbM4Rmi6bTM9BznfaJ4vFoDNbd5oopZONdzEYKmRoCAd4QAvD_BwE
    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    edited September 2022
    Robert West said:
    That's very interesting. I've often wondered whether adding something like blood, fish and bone to old compost would 'revitalise' it??

    Well that settles it. I'm doing a trial! I shall sew half of my seeds in spent compost and half in new compost. I will report back in late spring with the results! 
    Adding blood fish and bone will revitalize it, but the problem you may encounter is detrimental bacteria and fungi living in the old compost.
    New compost is clean, but once a plant is grown in it certain bacteria and fungi will flourish and colonize it.
    When you re-use that compost those established colonies of bacteria and fungi may well cause problems with seeds that are germinating.

    If you want to reuse the old compost I'd reuse it for potting on more mature plants that will have built-up resistance.
    I'd also use a non-organic form of fertilizer such as Growmore rather than BFB.
    I've tried doing what you're proposing in the past and found that BFB sometimes just starts to rot if used in pots and trays as there isn't the vast range of bacteria and fungi that there are in open soil to break it down.
    BFB in its dry form has nothing of use to plants - it's only when it's broken down over several weeks that the nutrients are released.


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @Silversurfer Thank you for that I guess if you have lots of pots a good idea.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Yes. I use it for bulbs in pots. 

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





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