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Hi all

I haven't noticed many comments this year regarding the quality of MP and Potting composts.

Is everyone happy with what is on offer?

I haven't bought any this year, I have made my own!

I was just curious if the compost makers have got their house in order regarding the quality, and thought a bit of a survey might be useful if only to keep up with what is on the market these days.

I look forward to your replies....Tg

I have some of last years Clover left for seed sowing Tee Gee, I also bought some GroWise from the farm supply shop & that seems fine. No lumps or twigs so far . I too look forward to what others have found. I did email Dunstones to see if they had a local supplier as a lady at our site said it's good. It's sold at Lidls & Aldi under their own label.

What is your recipe please Tee Gee?

I've gone back to B&Q multipurpose, the store is in a fairly handy location for me. It's mostly been fair quality, although a few bags have been poor and some good. Price seems to yo-yo  a bit and you need to keep an eye on  the size of bag. I have noticed my tomato and pepper seedlings etc have needed feeding sooner than you would expect, perhaps they are saving cost?
             
Are ingredients easy to source for making your own compost?

We bought B&Q again this year and I wish we hadn't it's like dust .
The plants haven't done very well but perk up when I pot them up in stuff bought form the local hardware shop. Where we will buy from next year.

Our wholesaler has told us of shortages of peat based products on the market, with some makers lines being temporarily unavailable. This is due to bad weather, and high ground-water levels making peat harvesting impossible in places.
Having dipped a curious finger into several (B&Q, Aldi, Wickes, The Range) compost and grow-bags, I wonder how they have the gall to describe this awful rubbish as compost at all!

I have been using Erin Excel for the last 2 years and I find it to be very good,although this year there are a few small twigs in it,and after a couple of weeks of potting on plants,the compost goes slightly green on the surface,although the plants themselves are very healthy,I think it could be caused by the water I am using from my water butt.Over all I must say that I am very happy with this brand of compost.

Still on the clover, bits here and there but pleased overall   

I have bought B&Q compost this year. It's not good. Its full of large lumps and twigs along with shreadded plastic bags.
Before using it for seeds I sift it and mix it with seed compost. I feel it lightens the seed compost and makes it a little more water retentive.

Duke

It was thanks to Manics that I bought Clover a few years ago I prefer it to any other brand. Thanks again Manics .

 

B&Q multipurpose is poor this year and dries out very quickly, but you do not notice any colour change which would normally warn you. Much less peat than in previous years.

I use Singletons multipurpose which I buy from R V Rogers near Pickering, which I mix with their J.I.1, 2+ 3 as required. When I run out I use Westlands. More expensive but the quality seems good  and better than most.  IMO the cheaper brands would probably do as soil 'improver' but not fit for pots.

Do local B&Q's source locally, if you see what I mean? I've bought their cheapo verve this year and it's brilliant - no twigs or plastic, good texture, holds moisture well and my plants are doing so well this year. Speak as you find! (My local B&Q is Spondon, Derby, btw...)

Also been using B&Q verve, also inDerby....also ok! Makes a change Derby being better than the rest of the country at something......

Quote from: Tee Gee on May 19, 2013, 13:41:18
Hi all

I haven't noticed many comments this year regarding the quality of MP and Potting composts.

Is everyone happy with what is on offer?

I haven't bought any this year, I have made my own!

I was just curious if the compost makers have got their house in order regarding the quality, and thought a bit of a survey might be useful if only to keep up with what is on the market these days.

I look forward to your replies....Tg

Will you share your recipe, please ?

QuoteWhat is your recipe please

Its quite simple really!

I buy Chempak Potting Base mix and do what it says on the packet which is ;

Mix 6 x 2 gallon buckets of peat and 2 buckets of either sharp sand, perlite or vermiculite.

(I use silver sand in lieu of either of these) to a packet of base mix.

Although not always necessary I sieve the peat through a  half inch riddle and this removes any twig. / water type roots.

For seed compost i mix the above at about quarter strength.

I'm another Clover user.  I always sieve it and add some vermiculite.
I use the lumpy sieved bits for tomatoes etc. in pots in the greenhouse.

I use singletons from our allotment shop.  It has been excellent all these years but I am not sure if it is slightly off it's usual standard this year or if I just got a bad bag.  Will see next week when I need to purchase 2 more.  Before this years hiccup, I have found nothing close to beating it and I still would not change at this time.

I have got fed up with the cheapo ones and went for one bag of expensive from horticultural shop.  Lovely fine and soft. 

For bigger things such as courgettes/beans I have been using recycled which I buy for £1 a bag.

I like the thought of making my own.  I am missing Murphys which I used for many years but can no longer source locally.

Seems Beechgrove are recommending B&Q might give it a try.  I looked earlier in the year but had the feeling the bags were left over from last year.

I am very wary of shop bought compost these days as I know the kind of things I put in the green waste bags and I am sure it returns in compost.

I have been using Erin the last few years but it does need sieving for seed use.

Do you think moss peat and a Chempak mix is OK?

I am thinking of using jiffy 7's next year that are made from coir, i have used a coir mix with tomatos last year and they were good.