Allotments 4 All

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?

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  :-\

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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!

Quote from: tonybloke on February 03, 2010, 23:25:07
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.

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

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.

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

Quote from: tonybloke on February 03, 2010, 23:25:07
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!

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.

Quote from: Digeroo on February 08, 2010, 22:08:51

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.

Quotecollect worm-casts from the lawn

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