Newbie Compost Question

Fantasma 5/8/2012, 2:36 pm

Stupid Question of the Day: Does compost expire?

We abandoned our compost bin about 6 years ago. It's been on the side of the house, undisturbed since then. I hope to build a new one this weekend, but am unsure what to do with the existing bin's contents. There are approximately 12 square feet of "compost".

brenda g 5/8/2012, 3:10 pm

You can absolutely still use it! Organic matter is organic matter BUT how 'strong' its nutrients are after sitting there 6 years (assuming it was 'finished' 6 years ago), I have no idea. Maybe someone with more experience can chime in on this. At the very least though, it will benefit your garden soil by giving it better texture and increasing worm activity by providing organic matter for them to eat.

after rereading your post: if your compost is NOT finished, just put it in with the new bin you make, it'll be a good way to get it started Very Happy

Fantasma 5/8/2012, 3:36 pm

It was pretty much nothing but kitchen scraps, grass clippings, and fallen leaves when we started it. Now it looks like really dark soil. Last time I dug in, I didn't even see any evidence of the oak leaves. Does that mean it's done?

littlesapphire 5/8/2012, 3:41 pm

Yep, it sure does! If it was my compost, I'd totally use it Smile

plantoid 5/8/2012, 3:53 pm

littlesapphire wrote:Yep, it sure does! If it was my compost, I'd totally use it

+1 ..

It is nigh on the same as quality aged leaf mould , that's very similar to what the peat / fibre content of MM and spent composts in it eventually become quite a few years down the line and is the reason why we add homemade compost to not only add nutrients but to add bulk & moisture retention to the beds

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