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Welcome to the ultimate beginner gardening and garden design forum! Where no gardening question is too silly or obvious. This online gardening forum is run by Lee Burkhill, the Garden Ninja from BBC 1's Garden Rescue and a trusted group of experienced gardeners.

Whether you are a beginner or an expert gardener, it's a safe place to ask garden-related questions for garden design or planting. If you have a problem in your garden or need help, this is the Garden Forum for you!

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Ask a Gardening QuestionGeneral Questions: Introduce yourselves!Saying Hello & (Relatively) New t …

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Saying Hello & (Relatively) New to Gardening!

#1 · 16th August 2024, 7:39 pm

Hello! I’m Little Jo and, as the title suggests, I’m a relative newbie to gardening! My husband and I moved to our new home a year ago with a neglected garden that was a blank canvas. Our previous home didn’t have a garden, so we’re making up for lost time! We’re thoroughly enjoying our time in the garden and learning about plants, designs, promoting wildlife and wellbeing.

We started a Zen-inspired corner and created some raised planting beds from oak sleepers that will be planted with dwarf conifers / pines and compact azaleas and rhododendrons. We’ve nearly filled the bed with Ericaceous compost mix and this leads me to my first question on this forum…

A couple of bags of Ericaceous compost that we’ve bought was stored in direct sun at the garden centre (bag very faded), which I think has caused condensation within the bag. The compost inside is damp, but not sodden, and the texture is good, but it’s darker than the other bags of compost. It still smells ‘earthy’ and no strong odours. Is this still fine to use, as I don’t want to contaminate the entire raised bed!

Looking forward to hearing from members and being a part of the forum.

#2 · 18th August 2024, 5:42 pm

Hi @little-jo

Great to have you on board here at Garden Ninja HQ. This forum is super friendly and supportive. It's also wonderful to hear you're already designing your own garden. We need more new Ninjas like you!

Don't worry about the earthy smell or the fact the bag has been in sunlight. Even if the consistency is a bit sweaty there;'s no where for any of the good stuff to escape to when you buy shop bought compost. So don't panic it will be fine.

Unless things smell incredibly sour when it comes to compost or they make your eyes water, you're good to go!

All the best

Lee Garden Ninja

#3 · 20th August 2024, 7:01 pm

Quote from Lee Garden Ninja on 18th August 2024, 5:42 pm
Hi @little-jo
Great to have you on board here at Garden Ninja HQ. This forum is super friendly and supportive. It's also wonderful to hear you're already designing your own garden. We need more new Ninjas like you!
Don't worry about the earthy smell or the fact the bag has been in sunlight. Even if the consistency is a bit sweaty there;'s no where for any of the good stuff to escape to when you buy shop bought compost. So don't panic it will be fine.
Unless things smell incredibly sour when it comes to compost or they make your eyes water, you're good to go!
All the best
Lee Garden Ninja

Hi Lee,

Thanks for the warm welcome and the advice! Very much appreciated. The raised bed is now filled with mulch on top, ready for planting (slowly but surely) over the next few months. The miniature pine is going in first.

Best wishes,

Little Jo