Cost of Bagged Compost

[mikey]

Hi Folks,

I have been following the Rant on Compost, agree with most posts ... Compost costs have risen dramatically in our part of the country.

Last week I did a 'local' survey ...........

In January 2009 a 75 Litre bag of Erin was 4 Bags for £10 at a large local Garden Centre.

In early March the bag size had reduced to 70 Litre and in May reduced to 60 Litre, all at 4 for £10

To make comparison easier and fair I calculated cost per litre:

Large Garden Centre   Erin 60 Lit.  £2.50 per bag - 4.17 p per Litre
B&Q Grimsby Multipurpose 125 Lit. £6.98 per bag - 5.58 p per Litre
Focus Louth 'Payless' 50 Lit. £2.89 per bag - 5.78 p per Litre
Wickes own brand 75 Lit.  £3.90 per bag - 5.20 p per Litre

Assuming I am 'stuck' with car overheads, Road Tax, Insurance, repairs etc.
I calculated ONLY Petrol consumption on top of pence per Litre (compost)cost for the round trip journey ........

Large Garden Centre +/- 40 miles round trip, petrol at 94 p per litre = £4.87 total fuel, thus Compost cost per litre becomes 5.18 pence. (I bought 8 bags of Erin at £20.00)

B&Q in Grimsby +/- 40 miles round trip
Focus Louth +/- 20 miles round trip
Wickes Lincoln +/- 36 miles round trip

Roughly 1p collection cost per Litre ....... soon adds up

Although the price has risen by 26 percent since January, Erin is still the best value purchase for me. It is lovely compost and has very few little 'lumps' but unfortunately is Peat based

[mikey]

[1066]

I wonder if the prices always rise in Spring / Summer then drop back over winter. Shops being what they are, and always looking to "maximise profits"  its an easy way for them to do it.  Also as people tend to only buy things like compost when they need it and don't usually buy it in and store it, so the shops / manufacturers will always push prices at these times.
Obviously only a theory, but maybe worth a thought? Having looked at the amount of potting compost I have used this year I will definitely be on the look out for deals out of season

1066

[manicscousers]

we buy in bulk and sell to plot holders, 123 this year, this is between 19 people  :o
so, we're thinking of buying out of season  ;D

[1066]

MS, where do you buy in bulk? I'm thinking along similar lines, but probably just for myself (LOL)  ;D
Ta
1066

[manicscousers]

ours comes from a local merchant, Johnathan Maher in Bolton, 2.07 plus vat for mother earth, costs a bit more if you order less that we do, plus delivery on smaller amounts, nice bloke, just offered us clover at 2.21 plus vat, pro rata  :)

[1066]

Thanks, that gives me some info to work on. I'll try and find someone a bit more local to me tho  :D

[Larkshall]

I wonder if the prices always rise in Spring / Summer then drop back over winter. Shops being what they are, and always looking to "maximise profits"  its an easy way for them to do it.  Also as people tend to only buy things like compost when they need it and don't usually buy it in and store it, so the shops / manufacturers will always push prices at these times.
Obviously only a theory, but maybe worth a thought? Having looked at the amount of potting compost I have used this year I will definitely be on the look out for deals out of season

1066

I bought 4 bales (150ltr) of multi-purpose compost from B&Q early in the year £20, went to get two more today. 125ltr x 2 bales cost £13.96. Cost: first lot 3.333p per litre, second lot 5.584p per litre. That's a 67% increase.

[1066]

That does seem to fit my theory Larkshall! and your 67% increase far out weighs even the 26% Mikey found  :o
Its a bit like waiting to buy a lawnmower until autumn, when they want the shelf space for xmas tree lights etc, and there are discounts to be had on out of season stuff.
1066