Alison, you can cut the cost of compost by reusing it the following year but make sure the potatoes weren't diseased at all. I store the old compost after harvesting in an old bin with a lid to keep out unwanted seeds. The following spring, I'll mix it well with my own compost out of the heap (50/50) to refresh its nutritional value. You can also bang in some chicken pellets or appropriate additives 'to taste'. You're right tho, filling a few big containers with new compost can seem extravagant.
Su6...,.I am growing carrots, parsnip ,leeks, peas, garlic, salad leaves, aubergines, tomatoes, courgettes in pots..the only thing i would say is when growing any root veg in pots make sure the pots are deethis is my 1st year at planting vegp enough or you will end with with stubby veg....this is my 1st year at planting veg and i too am getting excited to see how it all is..good luck
Not so-It depends on whether they are earlies or maincrop-if you watch GW or Beechgrove you will see them lifting earlies in a few weeks still in green leaf.
I grow some of my earliest salad potatoes in a dustbin and 'earth up' in layers of around 6" alternating between multipurpose and garden compost. The remainder are in the green bags special for the job. I also grew last year, and again this year, aubergines in a dustbin. What a great crop and saves plenty of money too. I treat everything with Tomorite (tomato fertilizer).
Another tip: I empty the contents of my kettle (once cooled) into a 6pt milk bottle and use this for watering during hot spells. Helps to keep the plants 'ticking over'. Just think a whole 6 pts in just one week. Wow!
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Alison, you can cut the cost of compost by reusing it the following year but make sure the potatoes weren't diseased at all. I store the old compost after harvesting in an old bin with a lid to keep out unwanted seeds. The following spring, I'll mix it well with my own compost out of the heap (50/50) to refresh its nutritional value. You can also bang in some chicken pellets or appropriate additives 'to taste'. You're right tho, filling a few big containers with new compost can seem extravagant.
Su6...,.I am growing carrots, parsnip ,leeks, peas, garlic, salad leaves, aubergines, tomatoes, courgettes in pots..the only thing i would say is when growing any root veg in pots make sure the pots are deethis is my 1st year at planting vegp enough or you will end with with stubby veg....this is my 1st year at planting veg and i too am getting excited to see how it all is..good luck
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I echo Su6...when do you know they are ready for harvesting. Mine are about five feet high in a pot and just starting to flower?
It depends on whether they are earlies or maincrop-but as a general rule- after flowering you can harvest some
I got told you have to wait till the green is dying off .
Not so-It depends on whether they are earlies or maincrop-if you watch GW or Beechgrove you will see them lifting earlies in a few weeks still in green leaf.
How would I know if they were maincrop or earlies?
Name of varietywhat are you growing?
I'll look in the morning, bit dark to venture out into the garden at the moment...the bears might get me
I grow some of my earliest salad potatoes in a dustbin and 'earth up' in layers of around 6" alternating between multipurpose and garden compost. The remainder are in the green bags special for the job. I also grew last year, and again this year, aubergines in a dustbin. What a great crop and saves plenty of money too. I treat everything with Tomorite (tomato fertilizer).
Another tip: I empty the contents of my kettle (once cooled) into a 6pt milk bottle and use this for watering during hot spells. Helps to keep the plants 'ticking over'. Just think a whole 6 pts in just one week. Wow!