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Sorry, first stupid question from a very amateur but keen gardener.  Can I re-use compost in the pots in which I grew my tulips  ??? The compost has been in the pots since November and with the tulips now died back I wasn't sure whether to take off the top inch or so and put fresh compost in or chuck and start again.  Thanks

Welcome, tartanchick, no such thing as a stupid question..here's mine..are you wanting to grow something in it and take the tulips out ?..

Others will probably disagree, but I re-use compost mixed in with fresh stuff and/or composted farmyard manure, and my plants seem to do alright. You will probably need to add extra nutrients sooner than you would with totally fresh compost however. If I don't re-use it though, because I have too much or no need, it goes on the compost heap.

All our "home" grown potatos, in old compost sacks are in re-used compost with added composted farmyard manure, and they are growing really well. It remains to be seen what the yield will be like however.

Hi, I'm planning to plant flowers, bedding plants etc. I'm keeping as much ground as possible free for veggie growing so I can move the pots around.  I haven't got a great deal of space. 

We dump the spent compost on our beds to improve the texture/tilth..
::)

I either dig spent compost into my beds, to improve the organic content, or I mix it into my compost heap, where the heat will kill any pathogens.

if you're re-growing in the same pots, you may be better with new compost as the nutrients will have been taken by the tulips..unless anyone here has other ideas ?  :)
as everyone says, the spent stuff is good on the beds

On the beds.  ;D ;D ;D

I think if you are going to reuse compost you have to take the risk of transmitting disease, the same if you don,t sterilize your plant pots. There is about 6 weeks feed in compost and most plants remain in situ for that length of time so your compost will be exhausted of all goodness.
Now me being a stingy old git i save it, so when i empty all what i have grown in boxes etc, i burn it off Kiln style then it gets riddled to be used as a fine mix for Carrots and parsnips.

Try mixing compost with those cheap growbags works great for my brassica plants. :)