[dugless]

Due to the lockdown, I had two large bags of potting compost delivered but I am having poor germination.
Is it allowed for someone to tell me a good quality one?

[Hampshire Hog]

At the moment I think the best compost is one you can lay your hands on.
I wonder though if JI No 1 would give you better results for seed sowing/germination??

[Asherweef]

Perhaps check the seeds on some damp kitchen roll to make sure it isn’t them? We have success with any old soil.

[jezza]

Hello you need a seed compost for seed sowing a potting compost is slightly to rich in nutrients for seed sowing a John Innes seed compost is ideal or if you can get  a good quality topsoil try making your own mix depending on the quantity needed this is the mix I use to make at a market garden 1 ton of fine top soil 1ton of fine peat  large bag of perlite mix together ,for potting compost add 1/2 ton of horticultural grit 6oz phostrogen to hundredweight of compost 2oz of lime to hundred weight omit lime for ericaceos plants use 2oz of sulphur if available ,adjust weights to what you need  jezza

[mumofstig]

I've never bothered with seed sowing compost, considering that , naturally seeds would grow on whatever soil they landed on, rich or poor 
If you can only get/have already, a course textured compost - you may be better off sieving the top layer, sowing the seeds onto that and then sieving a fine layer over the top, so the seed doesn't get swamped.

As a last resort sieve some garden soil and sterilise it in the microwave for a minute or so

[jambop]

Jezza I wish I had the materials and equipment to prepare your mix ! I have no doubt that making your own would be of great benefit . Good compost down here is very expensive... €18 for a 70L bag but it is usually good gear. I have been buying what they term horticultural grade down here for about €2.45 for 40L now it is fine when you dig it into your garden soil but there is a lot of wood chips in it. I can get as much cow byre manure as I want for free so what I am thinking is to somehow mix the compost with the farmyard manure 50/50 and spread it on my raised beds because I think this would hold moisture better. I find the copmpost dries out very quickly in the sun. Of course I make my own compost but because I use kitchen trimmings and stuff from the garden it is not all ready to use at one time . What I need is a huge tumble drier to mix the stuff in