Can I put compost used for potatoes on heap

[tweacle]

Hi there

This sounds a silly question. Can anyone help me.

I have potatoes growing in tubs this year. Can I put the compost on the heap when ive finished growing them.

[DavidT]

I`d be more inclined to spread it on the garden, but not anywhere where you are going to grow spuds or tomatoes.

[Lesley Jay]

Aswell as putting it on the flower beds I would use the compost in the bottom section of deep bedding plant containers, when you plant them up, to save on both the amount and also the cost of filling the whole containers with fresh compost each year.

[tweacle]

Many Thanks

[mikeyboy]

I am growing potatoes in containers this year and my question is how long will it take for the soil/compost/rotted manure mix to rid itself of disease?

I mean, I will not be growing potatoes at all next year so will 18 months or so of no potatoes in that soil be enough to starve/kill any pests or disease?

I'm thinking that if I pull them up in August this year and don't start planting again until February 2012-ish will that be enough?


Many thanks.

[Lesley Jay]

Hi Mikey, I personally wouldn't re-use the spent compost. But if you need to then I think you should follow the three year rotation guide and refresh the compost the autumn before you plan to use it for potatoes by incorporating plenty of well rotted compost and well rotted manure.

[mikeyboy]

Yep, I am still thinking about what to grow next year and all I know is that it will not be any potatoes.

Saw on here that carrots do well in spent compost so might try them in the cantainers that currently have the potatoes in...I can certainly build the stuff back up with some very rotted manure that I get.

Thanks.