How Long Should You Store Compost For?

Have you ever noticed that after a while, your compost feels a little.. Off? Well, you may be right. Compost's quality degrades slowly over time. But how long does it last? 

Fresh, living compost is like a feast for your soil: warm to the touch, rich in colour, and carrying that deep, earthy scent that tells you it’s bursting with life. But just like a basket of homegrown veg, compost is at its best when it’s fresh. So, how long can you store it before it starts to lose its magic? And how do you keep it happy until you’re ready to use it?

At Wildmore Compost, we believe every scoop of compost is precious. It is the product of nature’s slow, patient work. Treat it right, and it will return the favour in your garden tenfold.

Why Compost Storage Matters

Compost isn’t just “dirt”. It’s a living ecosystem of tiny helpers, quietly breaking down organic matter into nourishment your plants can drink in. Store it well, and you’ll preserve that life. Store it badly, and it can dry out, sour, or even invite pests.

Think of it like storing apples from the orchard - you want them cool, dry, and protected so they stay crisp and sweet for as long as possible.

How Long Compost Lasts

The sweet spot: Most compost keeps its quality for up to six months, sometimes stretching to a year if stored carefully. Beyond that, it starts to lose that rich, earthy aroma and crumbles with less vitality.

It’s not unsafe to use older compost, it won’t “go off” like milk. It’s like tea that’s been left to brew too long: it’ll still do something, but the flavour’s not quite as delightful.

Keeping Compost at Its Best

Here’s how to give your compost a comfortable “home” while it waits to feed your plants:

• Cool & dry is key – Store it somewhere that feels like a shaded woodland in late spring: cool, sheltered, and not too damp. Aim for 10–21°C (50–70°F).
• Let it breathe – Compost is alive. Keep it in breathable bags, ventilated bins, or loosely covered heaps so the air can move through.
• Protect it from pests – Nothing’s more tempting to a rodent than a warm, organic pile. Keep it secure with lids, covers, or mesh. If pests invade, re-bag or move material and seal access points. Severely contaminated compost may need re-composting or screening.
• Avoid contamination – Store well away from chemicals, fuel, or dusty corners. You want that clean, healthy earthiness to remain pure.

Signs Your Compost Has Aged Past Its Best

Fresh compost smells like a forest floor after rain - earthy, grounding, and almost sweet. If it starts smelling sour, feels sticky between your fingers, or loses its deep, dark colour, it’s a sign the microbial party has slowed down.

A sprinkle of white mould or the odd mushroom is fine, it’s part of the natural process and shows a healthy compost. But streaks of orange, blue, or other unusual moulds mean it’s best not to use on tender plants.

How to Revive Older Compost

Got a bag that’s been sitting in the shed a little too long? You can still bring it back:

• Blend it – Mix it with fresh compost or organic material like apple peels, grass clippings, or shredded leaves.
• Aerate it – Turn it with a fork, letting that earthy scent rise into the air, and give it a light mist of water if it’s dry. Let it rest for a few weeks so the microbes can wake up again.

The Wildmore Way

When you’ve invested in premium, peat-free compost like Wildmore Compost, you want every handful to work wonders. Our blends are crafted to be rich, fresh, and alive, ready to feed your plants naturally and nurture your soil’s health.

Tip from our farm: Store it like you’d store a harvest. Keep it cool, covered, and cared for, and your soil will reward you with stronger roots, fuller blooms, and tastier crops.

In short: Use your compost within six months to a year for the best results. Store it somewhere cool and dry with room to breathe, check it now and then for freshness, and handle it like the living gift it is.

Ready to give your plants the best? Explore Wildmore’s nutrient-rich, UK-made, peat-free compost, made for gardeners who care for the earth as much as they care for their gardens.