[Chappers]

Is it ok to chuck last years crop that are now past their best into the compost bin. Ive got a sack full that we've not eaten.

cheers Paul

[mumofstig]

NO............. most new blight outbreaks start on old potatoes from last year, when you look at blightwatch.

[compostqueen]

I put mine in the  council green bit at home- not in my own compost bin 

[Chappers]

Thanks very much, green bin its is then

Paul

[azubah]

I always put mine in the compost heap along with all the peelings. Never had any trouble. Wherever they go they have to rot somewhere.

[solway cropper]

I never put any potato or tomato waste on the compost heap cos the little b***ers pop up all over the garden if I do, never mind the disease problems. Potatoes seem to be able to grow even if a single cell is viable, as I discovered years ago after putting peelings in the compost. Tomato seeds remain viable after passing through the human body and going through the sewerage system....not a nice thought but sewage farms grow hellish tomatoes!!

[azubah]

Why does everyone but me get these problems? Not that I'm complaining of course! I dig out my compost heap once a year and have several plastic dalek ones. I just keep piling the weeds, grass and anything else of vegetable origin in, and sometimes they get full, but the next time I look there is more space to get more in. It just keeps going down. I also add chicken poo and wood chippings from their sleeping area, and newspaper. It slows down in winter and that is when I empty them one at a time.

[penance]

Yes, chuck them in if they show no signs of infection.
Yes, they will regrow, you can either chuck them in boiling water for a a minute or mash them up to stop that.

All our old spuds go in, so does the haulm unless it has been affected by blight. never had a problem.
Blight doesnt overwinter in soil so why would it survive in compost so long as you dont use it too soon.