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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: JudithM on February 26, 2011, 09:21:35

Title: Compost
Post by: JudithM on February 26, 2011, 09:21:35
Is it better to buy peat based compost for the greenhouse or not?  B&Q have 125L bags for under £7. Seems too cheap to be true. Was going to get ready for seeds and then potting on. ???
Title: Re: Compost
Post by: Ellen K on February 26, 2011, 09:44:18
I'm buying it.  They also do three 70 ltr bags for £10 and they are a bit easier to load in your car.

It's been good stuff in previous years and it is a Which? best buy.

I tried their own brand peat-free compost last year and it was awful.  You definitely need the peat based stuff for seeds.
Title: Re: Compost
Post by: Fork on February 26, 2011, 09:45:10
Think I better say my bit before the environmentalists say theirs!

I have not found a peat free compost anywhere thats half has good has peat based.
Title: Re: Compost
Post by: RSJK on February 26, 2011, 09:51:12
Get ready for the sticks and stones Fork :) :)
Title: Re: Compost
Post by: Joe11 on February 26, 2011, 15:44:16
I keep seeing people saying peat is best but in what regards, germination rate? Love to see some acual figures comparing peat and peat free composts if any one has any?
Title: Re: Compost
Post by: chriscross1966 on February 26, 2011, 23:57:06
Mostly it's down to how fine and homogenous the structure of the compost is combined with it's ability to both drain and retain moisture. Peat is just better at it than almost anything unless they start milling the recycled green waste much finer before it gets used in the peat-free mixes then the peat-based ones will be better.
Title: Re: Compost
Post by: pumkinlover on February 27, 2011, 08:51:52
Any body out there found a good peat-free????

I use YHS at he moment but admit not that good for seed sowing. However find it fine for everything else and I do use large amounts so prefer to buy peat free.
Having read Chriscross explanation I will buy some peat based for seed sowing.
Title: Re: Compost
Post by: JudithM on February 27, 2011, 09:53:13
Thanks everyone. Will buy for my seeds.

Do you mix anything else in with it for seeds?