Topic: Potting compost - recommendations please

[Digeroo]

I used to use Murphy's which was great and then decided to go organic and bought Westlands which was a disaster everything died.  The garden  centre then changed supplier and so last year I used J Arthur Bowers and loads of things damped off.  I think it was an old bag which had got very wet.  I took it back and got a new bag and then In the end I mixed it with recycled compost and it was better.  Fianally I just used the recycled compost straight and found it was ok for larger seeds but a bit coarse for the very fine ones/

Can't find murphys anywhere local so any suggestions please.  Has anyone any experience of B&Qs own?

[manicscousers]

we're using clover this year and, boy has  compost gone up, some of them are reducing the size of the bag to hide the price increase  :-\

[steve76]

Brought some home base compost yesterday  :( what a load of **** VERY expensive and they have now mixed it with shredded wood to bulk it out.
Used it last year and all was ok will be looking for another type now

[marc555]

Ive heard B&Q sowing and cutting compost is supposed to be excellent, thats what im trying this year for all my seeds and miracle - gro tomato planter for my tomatoes

[Chrispy]

Somewhere on here someone said there was a which report on potting compost, B&Q came out very well and Homebase is very poor.

I have some B&Q sowing and cutting, I have a tray of onion seedlings in it. It is nice to use, too early to say if the plants will like it, but I've used the B&Q houseplant, cactus and General purpose with no problems.

Last year I also tried the B&Q peat free GP, the tomatoes grew fine in it, but cucumber did not, and a bag is very heavy, diffcult to handle and the bag it comes in is not strong enough, maybe they have improved this year.

[grannyjanny]

Twas me. Sorry can't do links but I think the heading was "which best buys". 

[Digeroo]

Thanks for the info everyone

http://www.which.co.uk/news/2008/01/peat-free-compost-still-lagging-behind-129093

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/gardening/article-1241521/Gardeners-nightmare-The-compost-brands-wont-grow-you.html

[InfraDig]

I am interested in steve76's post. Last year I used Homebase 120litre for £6.99, with £2 off if you buy three. I don't remember any problems at all. Is this the one that has changed, steve?

Thanks.

[steve76]

The one i got (and was using last year) was there 60 litre bag its of a cream colour and costs £4.49

[InfraDig]

That's a pity! Mine were cream bags too! Sounds like the same stuff.

[tonybloke]

B U Y Compost?? doesn't the very ethos off allotments sort of lead folk to make their own?  ;)

[InfraDig]

I guess I have not been very successful at making "clean" and consistent compost. All sorts of things sprout out of it! I obviously have a lot to learn!

[grawrc]

B U Y Compost?? doesn't the very ethos off allotments sort of lead folk to make their own?  ;)

Yep but simply can't produce enough from my 5 daleks. So far this year (not 2010 - since October) I have used 20 barrowloads of manure, 40  barrowloads of mushroom compost and the 5 daleks of home produced compost.

[PAULW]

WICKES are doing four 70ltr bags for twelve quid and quite good compost too.

[Digeroo]

I buy potting compost for small seeds and now use recycled stuff which is only £1 a self fill bag for beans etc.

I certainly do not make enough compost.  Last year I used home made compost, manure, recycled compost and this year added composted leaves to the list.

[Jokerman]

I've always used b &q compost... £7 for 150 litres...

[elvis2003]

B U Y Compost?? doesn't the very ethos off allotments sort of lead folk to make their own?  ;)

maybe one day tony....a girl can dream!

[Digeroo]

I took your advice and got three 70 ltr bags for £10.  Mostly because the bigger bags were rather difficult to lift.  So far seems good stuff.

But would like some advice about making my own seed sowing compost.  Can I just use sifter stuff from the compost bin.

[tonybloke]

But would like some advice about making my own seed sowing compost.  Can I just use sifter stuff from the compost bin.

mix well-rotted leaf mould with sieved loam and fine vermiculite = perfect seed-sowing media. ;) (do not add any fertiliser, seeds have sufficient 'in store' for gewrmination)

or, collect worm-casts from the lawn (not a 'treated with chemicals lawn') these are perfect for germination.

[Digeroo]

collect worm-casts from the lawn

Lawn - 25 years no chemicals - no worm casts either - plenty of ants.