Compost types? With or without peat?

[Two_Sheds]

One problem with making your own compost is that you don't know the chemical composition

The N-P-K you mean? I don't think anyone bothers to check that on the bought stuff either do they?
You could always buy a testing kit if you really wanted to know.
Before *about the 1960s everyone made their own potting compost, nobody went out and bought it in bags

I think the B&Q brand peat-free is a false economy

I found it rough and horrible, but it was perfectly fine for bigger plants: I put it all into two potted trees, and they're thriving.

At school we use NH (bought in the end-of-year sales) and home-made leafmold

[Kaiya]

I wonder if the B&Q stuff has more issues of consistency (i.e. some bad batches, some ok) rather than overall quality, as I've had no issue with it (disclaimer, I have not performed any tests I just sowed some plants):

100% Verve/B&Q peat free, Mangetout, one germination failure out of 18 - Mangetout | Kailyn

Verve/B&Q peat free at bottom of module with Westland seed compost (peat containing) on top, Turnips - Turnips | Kailyn

Brassicas in the middle in my 50/50 layers, at least one seed germinated out of 3 in every module, however the leeks and onions either side were just in seed compost and didn't bulk up so well - Brassicas | Kailyn

This is representative of what it looks like in consistency for me - wood and all. Potting tomatoes part III

[Potstubsdustbins]

One thing I meant to post last night but forgot (I amold you know). When discussing the NH veggi compost the one thing there was no info on was the amount of each ingrediant per bag. If its a miniscule amount that would make a difference as to how enviromentally friendly it is.

Gets complicated dunit.

Colin