Specialist compost

[MrMouldyBread]

Hi, I was wandering around my local B&Q and came across this. Miracle-Gro Fruit & Vegetable Compost 50L, 5010272086850
My question is. is it worth it. or will regular cheap compost suffice for my . veggies(especially my carrots as my soil has a high clay content)?

Thanks

Mouldy

[WendyC]

Tricky isn't it. It claims to feed for 6 weeks - well all composts would do that so nothing new there. I'd weigh up the difference in cost of this compost against other compost plus buying some feed. Are you going to dig into the soil or put in pots. If it's for digging in I would go for something cheaper as really you are using it to improve the soil structure. I would avoid very cheap compost as is rarely good quality. Might be worth it for pots where the compost has to work harder. Would be interesting to test the claims by growing two plants the same, one in this compost and one in another.

[Sanjo]

Can't really give an opinion Mr Mouldybread regarding costs of this as against a lesser quality since I usually use relatively cheap stuff. However, as far as your carrots are concerned, you might well be better off with cheap quality since they will not like compost too rich. As long as the compost is friable and without big twiggy stuff they will be fine. You could bulk it out with sand too (for carrots that is)

[Potstubsdustbins]

Hi MMB If you are growing in pots you will have to feed the plants anyway as most will take longer to mature than six weeks. and 50 ltrs won't go far so I would consider some cheaper options before spending that kind of money.

Colin

[Pa Snips]

I had a look at that stuff and the quality didn't seem very good, unlike the 20l bags from Lidl or Aldi or whichever it was, lovely fine crumbly compost for a quid. If you want Miracle-Gro Fruit & Veg plant food in there then buy a bag and add it when needed i.e. after six weeks or so. Probably still works out cheaper.

[Two_Sheds]

I'd never pay for supplemented compost: I make my own feed (out of nettles, seaweed, comfrey and I believe one can even use wee)

[Bigmallly]

For carrots, you would be better off buying MPC & a couple of bags of sand.

[taff]

If someone or some company offers you something that sounds too good to be true, google it first...or ask here first ...oh, you did

[MrMouldyBread]

thank you all for the replies and laughs. Looks like ill be going for MPC and sand. My humble "garden" is coming along well.
Thanks again.

Mouldy

[Florence Fennel]

Glad you decided to take the advice MMB, it'll save you a fortune. Welcome to the Vine BTW!

[MrMouldyBread]

got my compost, sand. mixed them according to a ratio that I found on here. All is going well. transplanted my carrots(i know you aren't supposed to but I had to), my garlics are going well, and I even finished building my herb planter(it hangs from my window, and I can adjust the height with the sun). got my 6 favourite herbs a go go. now. I just have to tend to them, and hope all my effort pays off.

mouldy

[veggiechicken]

No stopping you now, Mouldy, What are you sowing next?

[MrMouldyBread]

Unsure veggie. quite fancy some leeks. but the Other half s restricting my finance. might just stick to the carrots, chillis, and garlic. I replanted my chilli because it wasnt doing too well n its old container.

I have become obsessed with checking on my veggies, I just wish I knew what was going on under the soil. haha

[Two_Sheds]

Packet of leek seeds: 99p

Leeks in the shop: £1.50 to £4 per kg


No brainer