Allotments 4 All

I'm hoping to start sowing a few things soon, but would appreciate a bit of advice about compost.
can anyone tell me what sort of compost I should be using, or recommend a mixture that works for them?
I think I read somewhere that multipurpose compost isn't suitable but can't remember why not...

thanks very much!

I only use multi-purpose compost for seed planting. ;) Never had any problems at all & always had a good harvest.

same here i have only ever used multi-purpose compost and have always been happy with the results.

Supersprout would say - John Innes No1

I have always had probs with raising seed... but always used crap cheap compost... i am having success iwth JI no. 1 and also Asda seed compost.  I have some JA Bowers multipurpose but with little success - i find it dries out a bit too quickly and its a bit too lumpy for little seeds

I mix my own see here; http://tinyurl.com/y9coek and here; http://tinyurl.com/yy5xkl

I just use the cheap stuff and riddle it to get the big bits out. Works great for me.

Me too. :D

Then put the lumps on your compost heap, or use for drainage in larger pots.

 :-\

John Innes looks like mud and performs similarly IMHO! I use multi purpose too, I figure seeds want to grow up and be plants, and if given enough love...they will!

;)

I have riddled the cheap stuff in the past, and added vermiculite which helps to retain moisture and nutrients.
It also bulks out the sieved compost, thus making it go a little further.