I needed to get my sweet peas sown today, but ran out of new compost. As I had cleared the toms and aubs out of the greenhouse (and was a bit annoyed at how much compost I'd used to get five aubergines from five plants!) I decided to re-use some of the compost for the rest of my sweet peas. What problems might this cause?
Also, I read recently a suggestion to sow winter salads in growbags after removing toms. Should I be adding any feed?
I always sow mine in a John Innes no 1 type compost. They don't need feeding but you do want a good strong root system. You can try them in old compost they will probably do ok, Its just that I do it like my old mentor (bless him he's been dead for about 10 years) taught me because he grew the best sweet peas I have ever seen.
As the seeds are the progeny of the seeds you sent me, Iprobably should do as you have. Will get some proper stuff for the rest!
When I am faced with an abundance of 'used potting compost' I riddle/sieve it to remove old roots etc then add Chempak potting base fertiliser as seen here.
http://www.chempak.co.uk/product6.html (http://www.chempak.co.uk/product6.html)
Certainly the cheapest way!
For an even cheaper alternative to bought seed compost - and an organic one - use either pure leaf mould or equal parts loam and leaf mould, assuming you can lay your hands on some. :)
G x
We have followed your advice Tee Gee and riddled the old basket and container compost for putting in the carrot trenches.
Great for carrots... doesn't even need feeding.. :)