new for old?

Hi,
Could you advise me please...
After the summer bedding plants have gone and containers are empty should all the compost be changed? A percentage? What should i do with the used stuff (i've been digging it into beds)?
With pots that i want to keep (acer in lage stone pot) do i just top dress or scrape out what i can and replace?
I always change it in baskets as there's less volume.
Cheers

 

I'm a bit of a scrounger so I recycle used compost. I empty planters, including spent bedding plants out onto the patio, and discard the old plants, root systems and anything else that I deem not worth keeping. Then I mix it with some fresh compost (usually from the composter!) and set to one side to use again. However, I wouldn't use it for raising seeds, cuttings or as a top dressing.

 

I find it quite therapeutic Marley, sat cross legged on the patio, in the sun (when it's dry!) sifting through the compost. Others might disagree though!

 

Thanks all. Some good tips.
As a fellow scrounger i will try that. I have a good supply of horse muck too i can add to the mix. They tell me its not fresh, there is no smell to it and it's growth free. Should i still stack it (in bags) for a couple of months or is it ok to use at that? Roses seem happy enough with it. I was going to top dress beds with it ovet winter, get some more to rest in bags ready for spring.
Cheers.