sowing in leaf mould

[j r hilton]

I have some great fine sifted leaf mould and am thinking os sowing all my seeds into it next spring. Will there be enough nutrients in it or will I have to add something to it to feed young seedlings.

[Two_Sheds]

Seeds don't need nutrients, everything they need to germinate is within the seed. I now sow my seeds into a 50/50 mix of leafmould/mpc.
Next year I should have enough leafmould to try it 100%.

Seedlings do need feeding, they will get this when you pot them on into mpc, or when you feed them.

[Aberdeenplotter]

Seed compost doesn't need a lot of feed in it, in fact too much fertiliser can prevent germination. If you intend using home made compost be sure to make sure it has been sterilised first otherwise your seedlings may well just fall over under attack from pathogens in the soil.

[j r hilton]

Seed compost doesn't need a lot of feed in it, in fact too much fertiliser can prevent germination. If you intend using home made compost be sure to make sure it has been sterilised first otherwise your seedlings may well just fall over under attack from pathogens in the soil.

how do oyu sterilise it?

[Two_Sheds]

You can put small amounts through the microwave, but I don't bother. The only problem I've had is weed seedlings coming up, but they're easily disposed of

Here's Monty Don's recipe: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening...e-compost.html