Reusing compost from pots of tomatoes

[peapod]

Hi, I’ve just emptied the compost from tomatoes grown in pots this year and am wondering if I can put the soil on the compost heap, if so how does this affect crop rotation when I spread the finished compost on the beds next year, will it harbour tomato problems and the same with the soil emptied from potato bags.  Can I still grow tomatoes and potatoes in new beds that have this composted soil spread on them? I will leave the heap for the best part of a year, so it will compost slowly.Thank you in advance. 

[charles]

I would put the compost straight onto beds. It does not need composting again.

Also I would not worry about growing potatoes or tomatoes there next year, although if putting it on beds you can choose which ones.

[peapod]

That’s a nice easy solution.  I’m assuming it was ok to chop up all the tomato stalks and put them on the heap.  Thanks again.

[charles]

Indeed peapo it is fine to compost tomato stalks (chopped to 4-6in. lengths), fruit etc even if blighted.  UK blight spores cannot live in soil or compost.

[jackpot]

Wow, that’s interesting that the blight doesn’t live in the soil !!  I burnt all my blighted tomatoes and was worried about the ones I missed on the beds (I planted outside, which I will never do again!!)  Thanks for that gem

 

[charles]

Nice you saw it and my Myths book has many such tips for saving lots of time!

See http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gardening-Myths-Misconceptions-Wise-Words/dp/0857842048/ref=la_B0034O1JJK_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1413304306&sr=1-6

[jackpot]

I have bought your book, but I’m gardening so much I haven’t had time to read it !!!  Must slow down a little

[Author]

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