Using compost

[workhorse]

I have purchased some bags of compost suitable for growing seed and for potting on. The compost, like most you see, is stored outside by the garden centres, and it does seem to be rather damp. Can it be used straight from the bag in that condition, or should it be allowed to dry out a little so that it can be sieved easily.

[crichmond]

Not sure if you should dry it out or not, but heres a thought for next time you get some, I always move the bags that are on top of the stack and get ones that were underneath as they are usually dryer.

Cheers Chris

[workhorse]

I normally do, but I was wondering if its something that happens this time of the year due to the general dampness of the atmosphere.

[Two_Sheds]

How damp is damp?

It needs to be damp for the seeds to germinate, but not so damp that it goes mouldy. If it is allowed to dry out though, it is often impossible to ever get it damp again

[Snadger]

If you are using it for growing indoors you also need to bring it up to room temperature for when you sow seeds or put plants into it!

[workhorse]

Hi Two Sheds

How damp is damp, that is a good question, well you can't squeeze water out of it, but it does cling together, so you could not pass it through a sieve to cover seeds.

Hi Snadgar


I have brought it into the greenhouse already, and opened it to let some air in, and possibly to take some of the moisture out. Am I doing wrong?

James

[terrier]

As long as the compost is not going green with the damp, take out a few litres and spread it on card or cloth to dry out, it should then go crumbly for you to seive onto the damp compost with your seeds in. I bought some from a GC last year that was so wet that I could squeeze the water out, the seeds germinated fine.

[Glasshousevirgin]

My experience (from having run a garden centre where composts stored out in all weathers got a bit rank after too long) is that if the bag is quite heavy to lift and is wet on the outside then go for ones further down the stack (as has been noted).
The composts with water holding additives will be worst and should be stored under cover for best practice. Torn or ripped bags should be avoided and I have recently commented to staff in one Homebase that some of their Grow Bags were too saturated to be saleable and should be removed for H and S reasons (too heavy to lift!).
I would not use compost that has been wet for extended periods for seedlings or seeds because you may have had anaerobic decomposition producing toxins or fungal disease that will threaten your little plants. If you must use it for mulch or top up the compost bin or dig it in somewhere to dilute the problem elements in it.