Allotments 4 All
Allotment Stuff => The Basics => Topic started by: Digeroo on February 03, 2010, 18:47:31
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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?
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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 :-\
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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
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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
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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.
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Twas me. Sorry can't do links but I think the heading was "which best buys".
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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
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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.
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The one i got (and was using last year) was there 60 litre bag its of a cream colour and costs £4.49
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That's a pity! Mine were cream bags too! Sounds like the same stuff.
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B U Y Compost?? doesn't the very ethos off allotments sort of lead folk to make their own? ;)
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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!
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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.
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WICKES are doing four 70ltr bags for twelve quid and quite good compost too.
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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.
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I've always used b &q compost... £7 for 150 litres...
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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!
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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.
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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.
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collect worm-casts from the lawn
Lawn - 25 years no chemicals - no worm casts either - plenty of ants.
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I've always just used multi purpose compost and not had much trouble............so, is seed compost really necessary? :P
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I've used molehill soil (freshish) instead fo wormcasts adn it seems pretty good for a soil base.... add some MP or leaf-mould and maybe some grit and it seems to be abotu right....
chrisc
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I've always just used multi purpose compost and not had much trouble............so, is seed compost really necessary? :P
Ah Ha !! an expert, perhaps? ;)
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So I have four daleks, all half full plus of nice compost, is this too rich for starting off seeds, or should I save it for potting on.
I've never been much kop at the sowing stage, I prefere direct sowing, I may be hung, drawn and quartered for saying this, but I hate the sowing indoors stage.
Although I have got loads of Tommie's on the go, some leeks and caulies showing. ;D ;D ;D
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Kev like you I prefer direct sowing, and only start off few plants, such as tomatoes, indoors!
I use a good multi-purpose compost for seed sowing, as recommended by a couple of old-timers.