Jiffy pots

[Emma]

Hello,

Over the years I have grown to really dislike peat as a growing medium. For the simple fact that it is un-enviromentally friendly and it dry's out so fast. Having been given some jiffy's as a gift I've used them so far this season (Gift horse and all that) but wanted a change.

I've just boughts some (well a lot) of the peat free Jiffy's !!!! What strange beasts they are, I got them mail order and am not sure what I expected. I was just wondering if anyone has used them and how people generally rate them?

Thanks
Em

[eskymo]

please enlighten me - what is a jiffy?

[pigletwillie]

Jiffys are a compressed disc of peat in a sort of net bag. You soak them in water and they expand into small pot shapes of peat ready to plant into. You get no root disturbance as you plant the whole thing into the ground. The net thing holds everything together.

I have only used them once and really didnt like them so I only use pots or trays now.

[hils]

Hello,

Over the years I have grown to really dislike peat as a growing medium. For the simple fact that it is un-enviromentally friendly and it dry's out so fast. Having been given some jiffy's as a gift I've used them so far this season (Gift horse and all that) but wanted a change.

I've just boughts some (well a lot) of the peat free Jiffy's !!!! What strange beasts they are, I got them mail order and am not sure what I expected. I was just wondering if anyone has used them and how people generally rate them?

Thanks
Em

Emma, I used Jiffys this year for my toms; very good but jolly expensive and not very environmentally friendly.
As a mean old goat I usually use home made newspaper pots for all my seed growing needs. Materials are free, folding pots keeps the fingers nimble and if frustration overcomes you there is a harmless missile already to hand to lob at the offending creature (usually the dogs)

[Lesley Jay]

I prefer to use plastic plant pots as these are completely recyclable.

[SueA]

I've only used jiffys once & didn't really like them as they dried out quickly & were fiddly to stack in trays etc. Also I don't like plants & plugs grown in any kind of net which you are supposed to plant them out in as often when I've done it the plant roots have seemed to struggle to get out of them into the compost/ground.I always peel the nets off any plug plants I buy & prefer to grow in plastic pots & trays.

[Emma]

The jiffy's I am using now are the peat free ones, that I think are made from Coir (ground coconut sells) They seem to be much better than the peat ones but really wondered if anyone else has used them. I am plannting so much as the moment I really needed something relatively quick and easy. I have bought a box from a mail order catalogue and they work out around 4p a pot. Which compared to the cost of seed compost (don't have enough compost to make my own) actually work out really cheap. Taking into account the cost of seed etc it makes each plant I sow cost around 6.5p. I'm waiting to see how they perform but so far I really recommend them. If anyone has any tips etc them please let me know.
Emma -x-