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Peat free composts also often contain coir, which has been shipped here from half way around the world. If you try and avoid both peat and coir, as I do, then you often really struggle and I frequently end up with something coir based. The alternatives are those that seem to comprise of composted wood chips and they are truly awful. Quite often you find yourself choosing the lesser of two evils.
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Into each life some rain must fall........but this is getting ridiculous.
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Couldn't agree more, Bluemoon, it's very difficult. As I said earlier, there's nothing really good about using compost but you can aim for minimum impact where possible. Try to minimise use and wastage and use your home made stuff where possible.
Some of us live in the past, always talking about back then. Some of us live in the future, always planning what we are going to do. And, then there are those, who neither look behind or ahead, but just enjoy the moment of right now.
Which one are you and is it how you want to be?Comment
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I got a few bags of compost from the local re-cycling center. It has no peat etc, and has twiggy bits, it's quite rough and ready, but if I sieved it, would this be ok for seeds?
I'm just thinking it'd be cheaper, and less environmentally dmaging, since it's all stuff that goes in the green waste bins.Comment
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You tend to find that it is fast composted and when you get it the composting usually has not finished. That is why it is hot to the touch.
I would mix it with comercial compost.My phone has more Processing power than the Computers NASA used to fake the Moon LandingsComment
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Wish I had read this before I went to B & Q to get more compost, I usually use their bog standard peat based compost for potting on and the seed one for seeds, today I bought peat free for seeds and potting on and its awful, will have to use it but think I will go back to what I was using before even though it contains peat.Gardening ..... begins with daybreak
and ends with backache
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What's it like Jackie?
I thought that of mine, but it really has grown some cracking seedlings. I put a few out today and the little blighters are so strong, really good quality. Really good root growth.
And that's the stuff before I mixed it with home grown.
If I was closer, I'd come and take it off your hands!!!! I'm sure we could come to an arrangement.
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It feels pretty awful, but as long as you use it quickly it should be OK and the seeds it grows are fine. But if you're anything like me you'll have half a bag left at the end of the season which you'll keep until spring. Don't! It goes off quickly and starts to smell like rotten eggs. If you've any left chuck it on the garden and buy fresh next year.Originally posted by jackie j View PostInto each life some rain must fall........but this is getting ridiculous.Comment
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Luckily the seed one is only a small bag so will use that preety quickly, its very rough, I suppose thats because I am used to a much smoother one. The one I bought for potting on or using in big pots I havent opened yet they are still in the boot of the car waiting for OH to lift them out. I bought them cos my sister recomended it so will see later what its like. Will it be ok to top up my potato bag as the bottom bit has compost containing peat.Originally posted by zazen999 View Post
Bit expensive to pop in the post lol.Gardening ..... begins with daybreak
and ends with backacheComment
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I have opened one of the big bags of peat free compost and its much better will now buy it again nearly all gone !!!Gardening ..... begins with daybreak
and ends with backacheComment
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Peat Free compost - best kinds
As I was feeling a guilty about buying the Peat based compost (which is usually quite cheap), I bought some Peat-Free from Homebase on Saturday. Whilst not expensive per-se, it was significantly more than the Peaty stuff, and the quality to me seemed really poor. Lots of big lumpy twiggy bits, lots of woody shaving stuff and generally felt a bit crappy. Even after sieving it I wasn't really happy. In the end I mixed it up a bag of (quite mature) farmyard manure but the mix (50/50) still seems poor.
I used some to top up my potatoes in containers, but I'm not going to get the same stuff again. Any recommendations on better quality Peat-Free (or will I have to succumb and go back to the peaty stuff?Comment
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esrikandan - I've merged your thread with another discussing the same subject.
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Like a fool I noticed the other thread after posting....!Comment
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That's what they all say!!!
Not to worry....as long as you find the compost that's right for you....I like the new peat free stuff myself - seems woody but the seedlings seem to be thriving. It's keeping it damp that's my main issue.
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Well, I'm going to give it a go with my onion sets to be planted in modules this week as I'm feeling a bit more optimising since reading your posts. Maybe the problem is that it doesn't "feel and smell" right, rather than not actually being any good.
Cheers!
EricComment
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I try and avoid peat based but like most Grapes find its not great. I compromise though and add some peat based to try and improve it. I'm not happy about doing it, but without the peat it just dries out too quicklyComment
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