Sowing: Seed Compost Vs Multi-Purpose Compost

[veg4681]

Just an idle chat thread . I bought 2 big bags of seed compost because it was cheaper that way and now I'm kind of regretting it as I can't see myself using them all up this year. Presumably they don't keep well either.

I know some of you use multi-purpose compost for seed sowing and I myself couldn't see much difference between the two except that the seed compost had bits of sand thrown in (I mean how difficult is that!). I think in future, I could save myself the bother of buying/storing/using 2 types of compost when one (that's multi-purpose compost) can cover all my compost needs. Am I missing something here? Besides seed compost cost more.

[momol]

I always use multy purpose compost for sowing. They sometimes has big lumps which you have to break it up but anything than that is ok. I also mix it with a bit of sand to help the drainage. The compost will keep well for next year Veg.

[crichmond]

I always use multi purpose as well but I dont even bother adding sand.

[SarzWix]

I usually use seed compost for early sowings & expensive or tiny seeds; I find multi-purpose wastes too much when sieving out the lumps, and then faffing around mixing sand into it... If you don't put sand in, the seed casings are more likely to stick on!
Ami, if you have seed compost leftover, it could be good for growing herbs or something that likes well drained soil?

[crichmond]

I am experimenting with a mix of potting compost and coco coir, 60% compost and 40% coco coir, in my latest seed sowings, so far they appear to be growing very well.

[gojiberry]

I always use multi-purpose for my seed sowing, I always sieve it to get all the large bits out and put some air into the mix. I find that not all mp composts are the same and some are not particularly good for sieving as SarzWix said you can loose a lot with some makes. Dont know how the moderators feel about mentioning a particular brand but he one I use would be a collection of diamonds, rubies ans emeralds.

[phil the shed]

my mix

i use multi purpose as the base
each batch
1 scoop perlite
1 scoop sharp sand
1 scoop horticultural grit
9 scoops multi-purpose compost

this never lets me down and i feel it allows seeds a more favourable growing medium less dense and better moisture control

[kentvegplot]

I think a lot depends on the brand of MP. Some of them are very coarse (particularly, unfortunately, some of those peat-free options) and even small seeds get swamped. I did a lot of sieving last year!

This year, as an experiment, I am using seed compost for seeds, and MP as they grow larger. We'll see it that works better.....

[SarzWix]

Dont know how the moderators feel about mentioning a particular brand but he one I use would be a collection of diamonds, rubies ans emeralds.

I have Gem 'MP with added John Innes', and it seems to have grass/weed seeds in it Not too difficult to pull out, but a pain in the butt!

[citygirl]

hello. sorry to butt in. but i have a related question to ask. please

i have some mp comp and some seed comp. neither of which i need to use for my seedlings. (this seed comp didn't absorb water very well when used for seedlings)

Q: can i mix the two together to make compost for planting out in my containers? say 1/2 bag of each. and is there anything i can add to make it better. bearing in mind i have no stocks of fertiliser or food. apart from the tom food for later on...

i have to plant my beans out, they're starting to sulk

[pmc]

I`ve never used sharp sand, but this year I had a lot of failures with my seeds. i think the compost was too dense & held too much water. Do you buy sand & grit from the garden centre, I`ve never noticed it.

[oldie]

I got a good deal on sand,compost and grit from CPL Creative Garden Ideas. I also tried coir root trainers and mini pots but have been disappointed with the results. Coir blocks mixed with MP and sand has been good. Added extra sand for my carrot bed and they are doing well.

[gojiberry]

No problem with mixing MP with seed compost, usually the only differences the size of lumps and the amount of nutrients. Seed compost usually has less nutrients and you will need to start feeding a week or so earlier. I always use sieved MP for seed sowing and so far this year have used about 25 X 75lt bags without any problems.

Ian

[Garden_girlie21]

I use plain MP compost, and just crumble any large lumps with my fingers. It's worked for me, I've got seedlings coming out of my ears!!

(not literallly, but sometimes it feels like i need to check they're all still in the greenhouse!! LOL)

Jennifer

[vegnut]

I do the same as Garden girlie21, just MP compost and break up the lumps. Not had any probs yet. Touch wood