[Rangerkris]

Im blaming the quality of compost on all these people that have moved to GYO it is just not on how can they keep up with good quality compost in such a short time.

[thecakebaker]

I find that levingtons compost to be worse than what I have now.

I will have to think about making my own compost for seed sowing using peat, sand and chempak potting or seed base depending on what I’m doing with it.

[paintedlady]

Last year most of my seeds were sown in a seed bed.
The point im trying to make is, if compost is going to vary so much especaily the peat free stuff perhaps more of us will have to go down the above road, and how more organic can you get by not using any compost.

That's a very good point.  When I first got my plot, I was advised by my neighbours to sow at home and plant on when bigger.  I presumed there must have have been a good reason but last year I took a chance a sowed a few things direct simply because I was running out of time and pots ... the results were much better than the planted on stuff    However, I would always sow my brassicas at home and pot on until they reach a good size before planting on with loads of lime - due to the clubroot riddled plot   

[flimbin]

I tried making my own this year. 2 year old leaf mould + comfrey leaves left in a dustbin to rot in the summer, then sieved and mixed with sand. Got good germination so far and it's pleasant to work with unlike some of the peat free garden centre composts.

[thecakebaker]

I have today spoken to Humax and they advise me that the compost should not be bits of wood or fibres in the compost so they are going to look into it and I have to send them a sample of what was in the compost they are going to also send me some vouchers to get replacement compost with.. 

[mumofstig]

my son bought 4 bags of Wickes compost for me, and it is absolutely gorgeous stuff.
There is a lot of peat in it according to the bag, which is probably why it is good, so for those of you that don't mind using peat...

try this one 

[Carrotcake]

I've always used New Horizon Peat Free compost and have never had any failures with it. We brought some over from England in March and it's performing much better than the French rubbish.

Not doing much for my carbon footptint though 

[sclarke624]

I use godwins, used it last year as well, 10 bags last year 15 bags this year and they are all ok.
http://www.ejgodwin.biz/products.htm
I use the one in the first pic.  Its cheap as well my garden centre £2.99 although they seem to be 70ltr bags this year was 75 last year.

[Zippy]

The trick with non-peat composts is to keep the top of the seed tray from crusting over; not just keep watering.

Sow as usual then place the whole tray in a plastic bag until you see the seedlings coming through then plasce in a greenhouse or coldframe from there - perfect results.

The problem is peat free dries out quickly and leaves the seed dehydrated.

[MoreWhisky]

Im finding the Homebase grow bags is very reasonable compost this yr. They cost about £1.60 ish i think so cheap to. I buy these to empty out as i find it works out cheaper.

Wow i think this is the first time in my life i can praise  homebase!

[Carrotcake]

Glad to hear that Morewhisky.

I had some truely awful compost from there last year and it wasn't cheap!

[sclarke624]

What size are they though morewhisky please, if you still have a a bag laying around.

[MoreWhisky]

What size are they though morewhisky please, if you still have a a bag laying around.

They are in my shed i will have a look later when i go to the plot. in the mean time they are the flat ones with the 3 panels u cut out if that helps. And like i said i dont use them as grow bags i just empty them out.

[Lardman]

What size are they though morewhisky please, if you still have a a bag laying around.

Im assuming hes referring to the 4/ £5 deal. or £1.59 each.

http://www.homebase.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?partNumber=031324

Website says 33L which seems to be the norm.

[zazen999]

Seconding new horizon peat free; it's fab stuff and have had excellent germination so far.