Change of heart regarding peat - a trial

[teakdesk]

Given that peat may become unavailable in coming years I've been thinking about trying to find myself an alternative.

I use a lot of B&Q grow bags and B&Q multi-purpose compost in the greenhouse and in pots around the garden and I am considering trialling different mediums this season.

I grow at least two examples of each different variety of tomato and chilli I grow, with some of each inside and outside.


I am thinking of using at least one alternative compost to the B&Q grow bag and would like your suggestions as to what I should use. I could grow one example of each variety in each compost. Seedlings would be raised in peat and grown on in the "new" compost.

Costs should be similar to the B&Q growbag of £2 for 33 litres = 6p per litre or the B&Q multi-purpose compost at £7 for 125 litres = 5.6p per litre.

What would you suggest I look at?



PS - I have seen Wilkinson's have New Horizon in at £2.48 for 15 litres which is too expensive at 16.5p per litre.

I've used Westland West+ before (now £5.98 for 60 litres = 10p per litre) and thought it was rubbish.

B&Q do a peat-free multi-purpose compost at £6.98 for 125 litres = 5.6p per litre but it has never been in stock when I've gone in previous years... has anyone used it and is it any good ?



EDIT: forgot to ask if anyone else fancies joining me in a trial to compare results after this season's growing ?


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[Two_Sheds]

Costs should be similar to the B&Q ...6p per litre

No way. Peat-free is more labour intensive, you can't get good quality for 6p a litre.

Have you any leafmold? (free) Mix it with the New Horizon to bring the cost per litre down?

B&Q do a peat-free multi-purpose compost ...is it any good ?

It tends to be very twiggy, so would need riddling. I haven't tried it on seeds, but I have 2 six foot trees growing happily in it

[solway cropper]

I'd agree with TS. Going peat-free is always going to be more expensive so the best idea is to make your own. After four years I'm now self-sufficient in compost although I still buy a few cheap grow-bags to mix with it for the toms and peppers. From the two 'daleks' this year I've had over 300 litres of compost and I still have a large open heap and leaf mould frame to go at.

[LittleShamrock]

I bought a peat-free compost from B&Q last year, sorry I can't remember exactly what it was but it probably would have been a multipurpose compost, and it would have been cheap too! I didn't like it, it was very twiggy and lumpy, better suited to a kids play area than a home for little seedlings! I used it for the bigger plants and sifted some for use on smaller plants, but when I ran out I bought regular peaty compost...

As for results, well, I basically negelcted most of my plants and it was a pretty dismal "harvest" regardless of the soil quality!

[teakdesk]

Ok, a quick update...

I bought B&Q peat-based (66%) multi-purpose compost and B&Q peat-free multi-purpose compost.


I sowed a tomato seed seed in both types - all germinated Ok.

I sowed various squashes in both types and all germinated Ok.

I potted tomatoes, chillies, marigolds, squash etc. on using both types of compost using pots from 3 to 6 inches and all are growing Ok.



My only concrn so far is that the peat-free compost dries out very quickly and is hard to get properly wet again. I'm having to check each pot to ensure I don't over-water the peat-based whlist I'm finding the peat-free plants are soon wilting in the hot weather.


My conclusion so far is that this peat-free works Ok but needs much more careful attention.

[Bramble_killer]

My only concrn so far is that the peat-free compost dries out very quickly and is hard to get properly wet again. I'm having to check each pot to ensure I don't over-water the peat-based whlist I'm finding the peat-free plants are soon wilting in the hot weather.


My conclusion so far is that this peat-free works Ok but needs much more careful attention.

I'm finding that a lot too. Its ok if you have time to pamper your plants but quite often I forget a few and then I have to repot to get the compost wet again

And the top never gets damp especially if you water from the bottom. It's a bit weird.

[Jeanied]

To re-wet the compost, put a drop of washing up liquid in the watering can - it helps with absorption.

[PAULW]

For the final potting up I always add J INNES to M\P this gives a stronger mix and helps with uptake of water as well as drainage.

[zazen999]

I am experimenting with different mixes this year, adding WRM, peat free JI No 1, adding some clay [ I had some left over from seed bombs] and also mixing my PF composts from New Horizon and Vital earth.

I find the peat free on it's own dries out but once you mix a little JI with it, it does grab the water better.

[chris]

I find Vital Earths stuff really good. I like their range, and I think I've gone through pretty much most brands now (including peat based, before I realised).

[Two_Sheds]

I bought B&Q ...peat-free multi-purpose compost.

To be fair, that's not one of the best ones

I'm using (you may have noticed) New Horizon peat free organic against B&Q peat based (67% peat) (I have used other peat based composts in the past, B&Q has been the best of the bunch).

So far (I have taken photos, just not posted them yet) the NH is far superior. Root growth is stronger, plants are bigger.

Pics online soon

[Snadger]

I hope you lot realise that when it says "With added John Innes" it is actually saying with added peat sand and loam plus JI base fertiliser.

[valmarg]

The RHS did a trial with various composts. Peat based/Loam based/Green waste/wood fibre and coir.

The results were published in the January 2011 edition of The Garden magazine.

Basically, peat based composts gave the best results, so I shall not be changing.

valmarg

[taff]

I went peat free this year with New Horizon vegetable compost, 10 quid for 2 bags, I think they were 60ltrs. To be honest, I don't really care much about the cost of it at the moment, because I get it back in fruit/veg grown in it v buying the things.
I've had, apart from a blip of overwatering some in bags which then germinated anyway, pretty much 100% germination, including some right awkward [in previous years] chilli seeds.
I'm quite happy to use it again, so i got some more today

[zazen999]

I hope you lot realise that when it says "With added John Innes" it is actually saying with added peat sand and loam plus JI base fertiliser.

No - there is a peat free John Innes No 1 from Vital Earth. And it rocks!