Soil around roots - reuse?

I have just transferred my choisya from a large pot into the ground. There was obviously a lot of soil around the roots. I cut back some external smaller roots which freed up a lot of soil. It looks in good condition i.e. dark and not clumpy.

Although I have now transplanted the choisya (with fresh, conditioned soil), I am wondering whether this soil that was once around the roots of the choisya is good to use, i.e. rich in minerals? Would it be beneficial to spread around plants (having freed it of smaller roots)?

 

It's unlikely there are any nutrients left in the soil rosebay. Most plants need to be fed when they are in pots because the nutrients are used very quickly. For instance, when multi purpose compost is used, nutrients will be depleted in six weeks so feeding is appropriate after that time. There is no reason why you can't scatter the old soil around plants, it won't do any harm.

 

I reuse spent compost from container plants if I'm potting something else into a larger planter. I put the spent compost at the bottom of the pot where fresh compost would be wasted and then from about a couple of inches under the root ball to the top I use fresh compost. I have also used it to spread in and around the borders to improve the soil texture.