Compost advice

[Marb67]

Not quite sure where to post this but please feel free to move it if not appropriate here:

I went to our local Stikes garden center yesterday just for a general look around while waiting to meet my wife. I always come out empty handed as it's nearly always too expensive. However, I took advantage of this haul

Levington John Innes Seed 25L Compost. Buy one get one free £3.99

Premier growing bag x 3 for £6

Miracle-Gro Organic Choice Potato & Vegetable Gro-Sac 50L X 3 for £2.99 each (were £5.99)

All in all £18.96 for all this. Have I made the right choice and got a bargain ?

Can I use the potato bags to grow toms as well ? Which would be best in a small greenhouse soil border ? etc. Can I dig into raised bed to add fertility ?

Any advice really so I can get the best out of everything.

[Kirk]

You got 8 bags and a fair selection so seems good.

Tomato's should be fine in the potato stuff, they are related oddly so I assume similar requirements with regards nutrition.

Not sure about adding to a raised bed for the reason you ask - I use compost to add or improve the structure. What you will likely find is that the compost has fertiliser added to it for fertility and this washes or seeps out. In effect leaving the base compost in the bed.

For adding nutrients to a raised bed I tend to mix in a bag or two of manure.

[veggiechicken]

Sounds like a good deal
I'm sure all of the grobags/sacs are OK for tomatoes. The toms will still need feeding once they set fruit, whatever you grow them in.
I grow toms in the GH border, but plant them in bottomless pots (flower buckets with the bottoms cut off), set into the soil. The pots are filled with fresh compost - usually from growbags. You can only grow 3 toms, at best, in a growbag, but emptying the compost into buckets makes it go further
Once the toms are fruiting, I feed into the pots and water the beds.
Don't know if this would work for you?

[Marb67]

Ok, thanks. I grew in grow bags last year and they did very well. Will try the open pot in soil and see if that is better.

[NatalieCooke]

I'm sure wilko have the seed compost for £2 a bag. Should be £2.50 but currently have it on offer.

Just to update my comment. I checked in wilko yesterday and their seed compost and it's
Westland John Innes seed sowing Compost 13.3 Litres. So looks like you got a great deal!

[rhyswales]

I'm sure wilko have the seed compost for £2 a bag. Should be £2.50 but currently have it on offer.

Just to update my comment. I checked in wilko yesterday and their seed compost and it's
Westland John Innes seed sowing Compost 13.3 Litres. So looks like you got a great deal!

There was a couple of weeks ago, 20L Westland GroSure seed and potting compost 75p in Tesco, they had pallets full in the Cardiff store. Not sure if still the price but I picked up a few bags around 2-3 weeks ago.

[NatalieCooke]

Yes I saw that deal on Hotukdeals a few weeks back. My OH said B&Q offers work out better that.
I shouldn't need any more compost for a few weeks.

[Greenleaves]

Sounds good to me Marb, good luck with this growing season but remember compost soon gets depleted of its nutrients so feeding after about 6 weeks will be in order

[brownfingers]

I just stocked up with Jacks Magic. 3 60l bags for a tenner.

[TrysHard]

BF

Good deal that - is it available nationwide

[Dorothy rouse]

Got 2, 75 ltrs bags, (Clover) at our allotment shop this morning, £4.60, a bag, so not bad, and kind man lifts it into car for me, ( this doesn't happen at GC)!

[brownfingers]

BF

Good deal that - is it available nationwide

Its a cash and carry near Rotherham. A bit of a trek for you TH!

[rhyswales]

Seen on Hotukdeals that Jack's Magic MP compost 60L bags instore B&M 3 for £10. Had a look on website couldn't see anything about it but haven't been in store to check.

[skeggijon]

Sounds like a good deal Marb. Hope this is a good year for you

[rhyswales]

Just too add, I used to use wickes multi purpose compost a few years back and found it pretty good but stopped the last few years as it went downhill. I've heard apprently they have much better compost this year so could be worth a look, 70L for £3.59 is a good price anyway.

Wickes Multi-Purpose Compost 70L | Wickes.co.uk