Does it harm commercial compost to decant it from bag into an open container?

Jane_in_Norfolk

When I watch Monty on GW, he always has his potting compost in a big open container. I always store my commercial compost in the bag it came in...I'd love to decant it into an open container (would be so much easier to scoop!), but I assume it would dry out much quicker.  Is storing it in an open container a real no-no?

debs64

I have large pots full of various different composts that I have decanted from bags. Never caused me any issues or problems. 

Obelixx

I find it easier to decant as much as I think I need into a big black rectangular trug about 15cm deep that I found in a builders' merchants, presumably used for mixing plaster or some such.   Easy to add more, mix stuff in such as pelleted manure when I'm potting on and then cover with an old compost bag when I'm done so it doesn't dry out. 

It also means I can work indoors or outside depending on weather as it's easy to transport.   

Jane_in_Norfolk

Really helpful, both, thank you!

Chris-P-Bacon

Jane_in_Norfolk said:

 Is storing it in an open container a real no-no?

It's fine. I empty mine onto my potting bench (it has sides to keep it in). Then I add various other things as I need to.. grit, vermiculite, garden compost, topsoil etc. I almost never use compost straight from the bag.

Jane_in_Norfolk

Chris-P-Bacon said:

grit, vermiculite, garden compost, topsoil etc. I almost never use compost straight from the bag.

Gosh, I have such a lot to learn! (now off to Google vermiculite). I'm a total gardening novice, but having just moved to a house with a garden I'm quickly getting addicted...

Lizzie27

I bought a tall plastic container (with a lid which is also strong enough to be used as a stool) especially made to keep compost in. I though it was a good idea at the time to keep the compost dry and I could sit on it at my potting table (it fits underneath) but must confess I've never used it as I now don't have the strength to pick the compost bag up and tip it in! I know I could scoop it bit by bit but it's too much faff.

Chris-P-Bacon

Jane_in_Norfolk said:

Chris-P-Bacon said:

grit, vermiculite, garden compost, topsoil etc. I almost never use compost straight from the bag.

Gosh, I have such a lot to learn! (now off to Google vermiculite). I'm a total gardening novice, but having just moved to a house with a garden I'm quickly getting addicted...

Potting compost is fine to use straight from the bag though. Don't worry about adding other stuff. Thats just my personal preferences to suit certain types of plant.

Kili

I always use compost straight from the bag when potting on seedlings.Unless you have plants that need grit and such like just keep it in the bag. Keeping it in the bag also keeps it moist for that time when you want to pot on . Tip it all out and you'll have a very dry mix when potting on.

Obviously if you have to add grit for potting on seedlings such as lavender take it straight from the bag and mix with grit.

Dovefromabove

If a tub of potting mix has got a big dry before I use it I add some water, give it a good stir and go and have a coffee while if absorbs the moisture. 

I find it’s better to sow or pot on into damp compost as it’s not always possible to ensure it’s evenly moist all the way through afterwards without flooding it. 

Busy-Lizzie

I leave it in the bag until I want to use it so that it keeps moist. I rarely mix it with anything, anyway, here in France vermiculite is very expensive. But when I pot up small plants I tip out what I need first as it's easier.

I think Monty prepares and tips his compost into containers for the programme to make it easier to show us what he's doing. Also he can't be seen to advertise and the colours on bags would show what makes they are.