Gardeners have been urged to stop throwing away leftover compost, even as the gardening season winds down. While clearing outdoor space may seem natural, keeping compost is actually recommended.
The advice comes from gardening expert Michael Griffiths, known for sharing practical tips online. In a recent video, he explained why old compost is better kept than discarded.
How to refresh old compost
Michael said: "Don't throw away last year's compost. Do this so you can use it again."
He advised tipping the old compost into a tray, removing old roots, weeds, and stones, and breaking it up until crumbly. Then add a handful of general-purpose fertiliser.
He added: "Add some fresh compost or well-rotted manure to liven it up. One part fresh to two parts old is a good rule of thumb."
"Give everything a mix so it all blends together and your compost is ready to go."
Benefits of reusing compost
Reusing old compost saves money, reduces waste, and improves garden soil structure, provided it is free from disease. Spent compost works as a soil conditioner.
Digging it into garden beds helps aerate heavy clay and adds water retention to sandy soils. Old or compacted compost also makes an ideal winter mulch or top dressing to suppress weeds and lock in moisture around established plants.
August is a good time to use it, either to refresh garden beds for autumn crops or to let it mature.
Many people commented on the advice, with some unaware that compost could be reused. One said: "Why on earth would anybody throw it away? What a waste!" Another added: "I put mine in the garden waste bin." A third replied: "I usually mix in around 25% fresh compost and fertiliser every year."
One commenter asked how often compost in tubs and containers should be changed, noting some had been in place for years. According to reports, it should be changed every one to two years, or immediately if the previous plant suffered from pests or diseases.
