LifestyleGardeningGardeningGardening guru Michael Griffiths has shared his top compost reuse tips, as now may be the perfect time to revive old compost instead of simply throwing it away in AugustKatie-Ann Gupwell11:58, 27 Aug 2026Updated 11:59, 27 Aug 2026The summer is drawing to a close, but there are some things you may want to do to your compost before you start spending less time in the garden. While many people may clear away old compost before the winter, it's actually been advised that people shouldn't throw it away.‌The handy tip was recently shared by gardening guru Michael Griffiths, who is well known for posting practical advice online. In a recent video, he urged people not to bin their old compost, as it can make a big difference to your garden if you know what you're doing.‌What's more, there's also another handy hack you can make use of when it comes to compost. A gardening expert previously stated there's a clever way to get free compost all year around.‌The adviceMichael said: "Don't throw away last year's compost. Do this so you can use it again."Start by tipping out the old compost into a tray, and remove any old roots, weeds and stones. Break it up so it's nice and crumbly, and then add a handful of general purpose fertiliser."Content cannot be displayed without consent‌He 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."Why it's importantSimply put, reusing old compost saves money, cuts down on waste and improves the structural quality of your garden soil, provided it's free from disease. Spent compost is particularly effective as a soil conditioner.‌Working it into garden beds helps to aerate heavy clay soil while also improving water retention in sandy ground. On top of that, old or compacted compost serves as an excellent winter mulch or top dressing, helping to suppress weeds and seal in moisture around established plants.August is an ideal time to put it to good use. It can be used to revitalise garden beds ahead of autumn crops, or simply left to mature further.Following Michael's advice, plenty of people took to the comments section to share their thoughts — and it appears some were unaware they could reuse it at all.‌One person 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."Meanwhile, another commenter had a different query altogether, writing: "How often do you need to change your compost in tubs and containers? Some of mine have been in there for years."Article continues belowAccording to reports, it should be replaced every one to two years. However, if the previous plant was affected by pests or disease, it should be changed immediately.Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌GardeningGarden