Buying compost online

[*Lavender*]

Hello again,

Not been on for a while and thought it was time I started thinking about the garden again before it's too late (if not already!)!

I'm going to be growing a few things in large containers again this year - mainly potatoes, broad beans & carrots. My garden is too small for a dedicated veg patch and I found this worked well last year. However, one of the downsides is having to buy huge amounts of compost again.

I was wondering if the stuff still in the containers from last year would be of any use at all - I imagine all the goodness has been used up, but is there anything I can add to it, perhaps mix half & half with new compost, or am I better starting from scratch again?

The other thing is I don't have a car and have to rely on buying online - can anyone recommend a good source for buying compost online? Which type would be best for my purpose? I live in central Scotland so don't have to worry so much about water retention & drought.

I can't remember the type of compost I bought last year, but it felt quite rough (almost bark-like in some bags!), and did tend to shrink a good deal once in the containers. I'd rather have a peat-free compost, but really not sure.

Hope someone can advise, & TIA!

*Lavender*

[Eyren]

I would think that, provided you change the compost around (ie don't grow potatoes in last year's potato compost and so on) and add plenty of fertilizer to boost the nutrients, you could reuse compost for growing on plants - my raised beds are basically just compost with a bit of soil! I wouldn't use it for raising seeds, though - they would be too vulnerable to moulds and diseases.

I know what you mean about the rough, bark-like stuff - I bought some West+ peat-free organic compost (in a blue sack) earlier this year and it was just like that. I've gone back to the MiracleGro peat-free organic (orange sack), as I think it's a better texture. I find that multi-purpose is fine for most things - you can always mix in a bit of sharp sand for things that prefer more drainage.

There was a leaflet in this month's GYO for delivery of compost which looked not too bad, but I didn't look into it more closely because we have a car and a nearby garden centre.

[selfraising]

Have you checked out your local garden centre because our one delivers. Costs me £6 but I make sure its worthwhile and get bark, manure etc as well.

[gojiberry]

Do you have allotments near you, as a lot of allotments have a shop that sells stuff like compost. You will also find most very friendly and there is bound to be someone passing your house if you aren't to far away.

Ian

[Storming Norman]

Hi there,

My local garden shop always delivers to me every year at no extra cost.

It's only a little shop and relies on this trade from people just like you. It's worth ringing a few garden shops/centres and see what they can offer you. Why not ask what you have to order to get a bulk discount as well - there's nothing wrong with asking and you might be pleasantly surprised.

I order bulk deliveries of composted garden waste each year in 1 sq metre bags. It seemed expensive on the internet so as they were in the same county I rang them and asked if there was a 'local' price. There was - and it was over 20% less! It's really nice stuff as well and mixes nicely with soil or compost in containers. I got their name from someone who works in the industry. If you want some of this product, which is pretty fine, then perhaps your local council will recommended a supplier.

I have re-used last years grow bag compost for salad leaves with a little growmore, but have tipped on the garden otherwise. It's good for the veg patch.

Ann

[*Lavender*]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Unfortunately, the nearest garden centre is miles away so don't deliver to me, which is a shame. Our local allotments don't appear to have a shop, and the council seem very secretive about what they do with all the compost they make from our brown bins!

I think it was West+ that I used last year so I think I'll avoid that this year.

Has anyone bought compost online and can recommend a supplier?

Thanks!

[quark1]

CPL Distribution are great

Creative Garden Ideas - the Garden Supplies | CPL Creative Garden Ideas

You'll find all your compost and soil improving needs here plus lots more.

Used them last year and you've reminded me to get cracking again!

Very low purchase threshold to avoid delivery charges. You may end up paying a little more per bag of whatever - but if you have no means to transport yourself - its well worth it. Why pay upwards of £6 to a greedy garden centre?

Only downside I've experienced was that 'part' of my order was not available and it caused a delay of 2 weeks extra to normal delivery time - fortunately I wasn't waiting to grab the stuff from the lorry! They also do coal and log deliveries if required.

Delivery area is some 80% of the UK - you can check yours online.

I've recommended them on another thread and am still happy to do so again!

[FROSTYFRECKLE]

Quark1 has beaten me to it. I bought 6 x 70 litre bags of compost for just over £24 from Creative Garden, also bought a couple of other things so got free postage. No busting my back trying to lift 70litres of compost by myself. Delivery is by a coal lorry.

[*Lavender*]

That's great - thanks! Off to buy right now!

*Lavender*

[IgglePiggle]

Do they put the bags at the front of your garden or bring it to your door? I need to get some for someone's garden, but you have to go down steps (15 I think) to get to their flat. If they leave it at the front garden, it would have to be on the path as the garden is on a downward hill, so means I would have to go over and move it

[FROSTYFRECKLE]

I guess it depends on the driver, just smile and ask nicely. I live in a bungalow with a long drive way and asked the driver to put the bags of compost mid-way down, which he did (the driver carried them as if they were bags of sugar). I dragged the bags to where I wanted them over the weekend. I'll be re-ordering more compost next weekend.

[IgglePiggle]

I'll get my father in law to walk out there with his walking stitck! They might feel sorry for him and do it