Which Compost?

["GoingToSeed"]

Hi all,
I'm a first timer to growing Veg in raised (smallish) beds in my tiny garden, I'm hoping these planters are suitable? (pic link inserted).....also I would love advice on which compost is the best to get maximum growth?
Your advice is very appreciated!

Denise

[chris]

Personally, I'd opt for peat free, but I'd also be mixing it in with your top soil, and any other oganic matter you can get mixed in there.

Compost dries out too quickly, and will shrink.

[Two_Sheds]

What are they to be stood on? Soil or concrete?

You should be looking at a JI No.3 type of compost for permanent planters for hungry veg (it's a recipe, not a brand, so you can make up your own mix)

Don't be tempted to fill up using cheap grow bag compost, it's too fluffy and dry

["GoingToSeed"]

Thanks for the info, very helpful as I'd forgot about how quick the compost dries out, I bought B&Q multi purpose the other week and now I will get some "good" stuff to add to it, I saw bags of farm yard manure at garden centre the other day, would this be suitable to add to compost? also would some sort of food be needed to add to it? if so which ought I buy?.....sorry for all the questions but I really am a beginner at growing veg in pots.....
Two_Sheds, the containers will be on the sunny corner of garden on top of grass, I was thinking of putting weed membrane underneath, or would it be best if I get someone to dig the grass up for me so the pots are on soil?
Once again, thanks for replying to me, much appreciated

[Kaiya]

Are these the polystyrene potty innovation raised bed things? Raised Bed Starter Kits and Planters - Potty Innovations

I would say take care if you need to mow/strim right up to their edges - I bought my BIL the clover pots made out of the same material, and they are soft enough that they take the impression of fingernails. They're sturdy and dense so you'll be extremely unlikely to break or puncture them, but a strimmer or a hefty whack from the edge of a mower may damage them.

Regarding what to put them on - the outside rim of pots has a solid bottom so it probably doesn't matter, but if you did dig up the turf you could use the upside down turves to contribute to filling the centre whole.

EDIT of course, if they aren't those polystyrene things, nothing I've said may be relevant

[Potstubsdustbins]

What ever you add to your growing medium there will never be enough life in it to go through the season. If you are growing in containers you will need to feed the containers especially if you have very hungry plants.

Colin

[The Large One]

Get yourself to Wickes
The have 70l bags of MP compost @ 4 fo £13
I've been using it for 2-3 years and good results
For pots etc I do seive though to get some of the bigger lumps but found it very good at moisture retention

[Potstubsdustbins]

TLO couldn't agree more our local hasn't got it in yet but it is what I use. I don't find the need to riddle it just crumble it up in my hands.

Colin

[sowitgrowit]

Get yourself to Wickes
The have 70l bags of MP compost @ 4 fo £13
I've been using it for 2-3 years and good results
For pots etc I do seive though to get some of the bigger lumps but found it very good at moisture retention

I recently took up a similar offer at B&Q but I have to say it's a little... woody. The chunks will crumble down quite easily but it's not the best stuff, I imagine.

Mostly it's to dig in though, and for containers that will also be fed when they are watered, so hopefully not too bad.

[Two_Sheds]

I was thinking of putting weed membrane underneath, or would it be best if I get someone to dig the grass up for me

Grass will die with stuff on top of it, so no need to use membrane or anything. I'd just fork it over if the soil is particularly compacted.

I recently ...

Never mind that, has anyone else asked if you are Gary Numan?

["GoingToSeed"]

WOW!! Thank you ALL so much for all the info .... I certainly feel a bit better as to what to do now, and I will certainly be going to Wickes for more compost as I dont think I have enough...

Once again, thanks you lovely people for the great tips

[sowitgrowit]

Never mind that, has anyone else asked if you are Gary Numan?

Haha no-one has suggested it; at least not to my face!!

[Florence Fennel]

I have used Wickes MPC for about 5 years now with no problems.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Whoopee got a phone call from my very friendly Wickes manageress today to let me know it had arrived. Got a 2 gallon bucket full with me now warming up for the weekend.

Colin

[The Large One]

i'm popping in for my top up tonight on the way home
have a small trug in the kitchen from the weekend warming