Seed Compost: Is It Necessary?

[Cosmo and Dibs]

I've always sown seeds in multi puropose compost without much trouble.

However, this year I'd like to grow more non-edible plants. Plus, the 5 bags of MP compost I've just bought are full of clumps and little bits and bobs not condusive to sowing.

Therefore I was going to try some seeding and cutting compost from Wilko. Is it really necessary and does it improve germination and performance?

Or should I just invest in a sturdy garden sieve?

[Two_Sheds]

I have always used MPC. No probs, pick out the lumps and add to compost heap to rot down a bit more.

I bought proper seed compost once = didn't get on with it, tbh.

[Flummery]

I'm a multipurpose babe too! It's fine - it holds nutrient, air what more do you want?

[zazen999]

If you don't like the lumps; get a little sieve from wilkos and sive it - put the retained stuff in the bottom of seed trays/modules and put the fine staff at the top. Then you aren't losing any.

[Two_Sheds]

I sieve my compost as if I've making scones, ie breadcrumbs. Rub it between your fingers to get the lumps out. Stubborn lumps go in the compost bin again

[Incy]

I sieve my compost as if I've making scones, ie breadcrumbs. Rub it between your fingers to get the lumps out. Stubborn lumps go in the compost bin again

Pretty much what I do although I use grow bags as compost. Any lumps that won't crumble go back in the bag and are used for later potting up when a bigger pot is used.

[jacob marley]

If you don't like the lumps; get a little sieve from wilkos and sive it - put the retained stuff in the bottom of seed trays/modules and put the fine staff at the top. Then you aren't losing any.

That is precisely what i do no problems then crumble the lumps up with your hands before you sieve it and there is not so much to put in the bottom of the tray ...jacob

[binley100]

My Grandad used to mix his compost with silver sand to improve drainage and make it go further and my dad mixes his just with some sharp sand.

[Snadger]

Seed compost is finer and has less nutrients thats all! (Their I go, stating the blimmin obvious again?)

[binley100]

Seed compost is finer and has less nutrients thats all! (Their I go, stating the blimmin obvious again?)

Well someone's gotta do it

[piskieinboots]

I use MPC mixed with perlite, I crumble it all together like cake-making, very theraputic - I also sieve if really fine stuff is wanted. I top (when seeds are sown) with vermiculite.

[Bren In Pots]

Another one who uses sieved multi-purpose compost for little seeds, the bigger seeds just get the larger lumps picked out.

[Alison]

I just use straight multipurpose, no sieving but I do pick out the twiggy bits. Think some varieties are better than others for lumps etc.

[Bigmallly]

This is my first year using seed compost & must admit I have had a more succesfull germination rate than MPC. It may just be me being lucky but I will stick with it.

[SueA]

I usually just use multi purpose & just pick out the big bits but I've just bought a lovely compost riddle for £7.99 so that I can sieve it & my own homemade compost too. You could just as easily use an old colander as a sieve.
I've tried seed compost in the past & find it a bit heavy & badly draining & it works out quite expensive if you're not sowing a lot of seeds & have to buy multi purpose as well.