On Thu, 28 May 2020 19:03:38 +0100, Jeff Layman wrote:

On 28/05/20 16:43, Nick Maclaren wrote:
In article ,
David wrote:
I (think I) know that over time the nutrient level in bagged compost
reduces.

Is there any reason not to use up last year's still bagged compost if
you add more nutrients?

Or without bothering to do that! Most nutrients do NOT reduce with
time, and the only one I can think of that would is nitrogen, and then
only if the compost has been kept damp. I regularly use such things 5
and more years old, without trouble and without adding anything (at
least for a short period).

+1

Anyone know where the OP's assumption might have come from? Has it ever
appeared on the bags themselves as a sort of shelf life?

LOst in history.
Could have been Which? or some similar publication.
https://www.which.co.uk/news/2015/10...-for-your-old-
compost-419348/

"Remember to use up any unused or part-used bags. Compost stored for a
long time, especially if it has got too hot or too wet, will start to
break down in the bags and the fertiliser in the compost could be
released. If this happens your new, young plants may be harmed by acidic
conditions. "

So not sure if I agree, but there are views out there.

Interesting discussion he
https://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=53141.0

"As a retailer of compost please may I make a point here. We have to buy
a minimum of seven pallets at a time which is 65 bags per pallet. We have
to put in our order in October for the next year so it is a common
practice to sell 'old' bags as there is no 'sell by dates' on compost."

The main view seems to be that after a time the fertilizer (slow release?)
may get released into the compost and make it too strong for seeds and
cuttings.


Cheers



Dave r




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