[Jim T]

I have now been working the allotment for just over a year and I have several big pots and baskets of compost/ soil which was used for growing tomatos, carrots etc.

My question is how to use the winter to prepare this soil for planting things in the spring.

Should I do something to sterilise it eg with Domestos or Jeyes Fluid?
Or just mix it in with other soil in a raised bed and let the winter do the work?

[muntjac]

you leave it out ij the cold then come spring you go to my

http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?t=8533&highlight=john+innes+mix

the mix will just add to your compost

[Sally A]

As I'm in quite clay soil I was planning on using last years compost from pots in a trench to raise parsnips/carrots.

Would this werk fer me?

[muntjac]

absolutly ... any compost soil stuff you save can be reinvigorated  

[gobs]

Probably will do, Sally, just depends how good quality the compost was in the first place and what was in it so how depleted it is. They don't need much, so it should be all right and you can top up with a bit of feed if needed as you go.

[noshed]

What exactly is "sharp builders sand" ? They don't seem to keep it in B&Q and I don't want to be embarrassed when going to a more rufty-tufty establishment. Can you buy it by the bag? What do you ask for? How much is it?

[mkhenry]

What exactly is "sharp builders sand" ? They don't seem to keep it in B&Q and I don't want to be embarrassed when going to a more rufty-tufty establishment. Can you buy it by the bag? What do you ask for? How much is it?

Its a term used to discribe a type of sand. It is in common use and readly available in B@Q in small bags or in bulk 1 ton approx bags
No need to feel silly it is like asking for a bag of sugar,no one will turn a hair.

[shaun]

grit sand/washed sand/sharp sand/concreting sand they are all the same noshed, no salt and no lime,your normal red builders sand is no good noshed,try travis perkins or jewson B&Q are ok for wallpaper and paint

[noshed]

Thanks, I will make enquiries.

[mkhenry]

grit sand/washed sand/sharp sand/concreting sand they are all the same noshed, no salt and no lime,your normal red builders sand is no good noshed,try travis perkins or jewson B&Q are ok for wallpaper and paint

Shaun I bought some last month in B@Q. £2 99 a bag.
True if you need a lot then a BM is the best,I find Wicks are ok and cheap enough.

Some people find some BMs a little intimidating if they are not used to them.  

[shaun]

Some people find some BMs a little intimidating if they are not used to them.  

dont know what your onabout henry there a lovely bunch of lads in our travis when you can find one of them  

[mkhenry]

Some people find some BMs a little intimidating if they are not used to them.  

dont know what your onabout henry there a lovely bunch of lads in our travis when you can find one of them  

Yer but you now know them very well,and are on first name terms etc.

For those who hardly ever venture past the towering portals it can be a little tense.
A bit like walking into a strange restaurant and not knowing how much they charge. Once you have done it,its easy.  

[noshed]

It is true that I managed to buy some blue water pipe in Jewsons but I didn't know where to park the car for fear of being hit by a lorry and then I didn't realise you were supposed to show your docket to the man at the gate on the way out. We had a lovely chat before I realised he wasn't just being friendly.

[gobs]

It is true that I managed to buy some blue water pipe in Jewsons but I didn't know where to park the car for fear of being hit by a lorry and then I didn't realise you were supposed to show your docket to the man at the gate on the way out. We had a lovely chat before I realised he wasn't just being friendly.

I hope it wasn't something serious. Or are you joking? :?

[noshed]

And indeed it is true - sharp send is sold in B&Q for £3 something a bag and it even talks about seed compost on the bag.
So I will be able to buy it without embarrassment. (I did have to go to the big shop, not the little one on Lea Bridge Road.)