Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: fatbelly on February 14, 2013, 21:38

Title: Using last years compost for seeds.
Post by: fatbelly on February 14, 2013, 21:38

Hi All,
Am I right that seeds don't like compost that is over rich? I have got about 6 buckets of last years compost that was used to grow my Toms in, I was going to throw it all on the plot, but was thinking I could use it to raise my seeds in if I am correct that seeds don't like nutrient rich compost.

Title: Re: Using last years compost for seeds.
Post by: mumofstig on February 14, 2013, 21:41

You are correct but- the old stuff may have all sorts of nasties in it after a year in the open, I wouldn't use it for seeds.

Title: Re: Using last years compost for seeds.
Post by: fatbelly on February 14, 2013, 21:42

Okay not what I wanted to hear, but thanks for the reply.

Title: Re: Using last years compost for seeds.
Post by: DD. on February 14, 2013, 22:02

Sorry to be a bit contrary, but I've used it to good effect for a fast crop like radish.

I grow them a cat litter tray as you may well imagine, but wouldn't use it for precious seed.

I've just used a lot of last year's, augmented with a bit of Growmore, to start off a few spuds in pots.

Title: Re: Using last years compost for seeds.
Post by: Totty on February 15, 2013, 18:16

Agree with DD, old grow bags or spent compost is perfect for spuds if a little fertiliser is added, even for sowing a quick crop of lettuce, round carrots or radish into when the toms have been cropped. But when it comes to sowing seed it would be a no no for me. I may be corrected but I have no idea why normal multipurpose is too strong for seeds. I only use seed compost for very small seeds or things that can be awkward to germinate, such as parsley. The rest of the time I'll sow seed straight onto multi purpose then riddle the same on top so as to avoid any big lumps. IMO, seeds may not need rich compost to germinate, they will germinate in anything until the energy within the seed is used up, but that is not to say they don't like it. I can't remember having too many seedlings sulk because the compost is too much of a good thing.

Totty

Title: Re: Using last years compost for seeds.
Post by: Yorkie on February 15, 2013, 18:21

I use m/purp for seeds  :)

Title: Re: Using last years compost for seeds.
Post by: moose on February 15, 2013, 19:18

I also use m/p for seeds although in recent years it has had to be put through a seive.

Title: Re: Using last years compost for seeds.
Post by: Sparkyrog on February 15, 2013, 21:56

I find the same Moose  :)