[PennyS]

Not happy with my compost at all!

I have always used John Innes No. 1 for seeds but this year decided to go peat free so after research went for Which? Best Buy peat free.  

Result - absolutely nothing I've sown in it has come up.  Well that's not quite true, 2 of the 32 roottrainers have a tiny cabbage.  And that was all sown 3 weeks ago.

No broad beans at all.

All the stuff I planted in the last of my old John Innes has come up beautifully.

Arrgh.  Trying to be green but really regretting it  

Think I'll be doing a lot of sowing this weekend - and I'm certainly going to try a different compost!

[scabs]

Oh eck...

That's not good at all. I used a cheapo Wilkinson's seed compo and almost everything has come up - worth a try?

Actually, I doubt it was peat free, so maybe not such a helpful comment, sorry. 

[BostonInbred]

Yes, ive noticed you get  worse germination rate in peat free. I generally use either  JI or peat based potting compost (really, works a treat).

[Rampant_Weasel]

i used the asda one cos i had my fingers burnt before, peat free is fine for potting on tho but would never use it again for seeds.

[Stevens706]

I've stopped using peat free it was full of lumps and rubbish.

[harry]

I just use B & Q bog standard 3 for 2 compost never had any trouble

[noshed]

You could try Munty's trick (sorry new people, he is a living legend on this site). Old grow bag compost with some horticultural sand and a little bit of blood, fish and bone.
This is not necessarily peat free but you are using it twice, so it's slightly better, and cheap.

[BostonInbred]

You could try Munty's trick (sorry new people, he is a living legend on this site). Old grow bag compost with some horticultural sand and a little bit of blood, fish and bone.
This is not necessarily peat free but you are using it twice, so it's slightly better, and cheap.

Theres no reason you cant keep reusing compost, as long as you replenish the nutrients and rotate crops in it so it doesnt get diseases. I use old compost as a bulker in the compost heap.

[PennyS]

Well I suppose it's all an experiment isn't it.  I was trying to be green but to be honest with my seeds I won't bother again 
Off to the garden centre this weekend for some nice peaty compost and some John Innes No.1 !! - and some more broad beans.
I will probably just sow these direct now...

 

[peapod]

Complain to them...its the only way that they have to start to listen to the consumer/buyer. Peat free is the way its going to be, so we as gardeners need to make sure that we dont have to put up with rubbish but pay over the odds for an inferior product

[PennyS]

I'm sure it's fine for containers etc - but obviously doesn't do the trick for cabbage seeds.  Surprised about the broad beans though, I thought they were tough old things.

[barbarella]

I agree - John Innes No.1 is definitely the best for seeds.  I only use Homebase multi-purpose for cuttings (with a bit of sand) and for potting on.  It is easier to avoid drying out with John Innes, and I always mix in a fair bit of vermiculite or perlite.  I got a couple of bags half price in Homebase the other day as they had got wet but you wet it anyway so I think I had got a bargain.  Vermiculite is a bit pricey but then so are some seeds and it really helps with soil aeration and water retention.

[bailey]

i tried peet free and got the same! useless stuff... i did write and complain,, my mother in law actually wrote the letter (well they are better at complaining) i did,nt get a reply. i chased this up with another letter and an email and still waiting for the reply..  nearly 12 mths now..

[Goosegirl]

I use J. I. seed compost as there is only a small amount of nutrient in it which is supposedly better for germination. Having said that, I have used multipurpose before and it's been ok. I am finding this year that quite a few things are very slow to germinate so maybe wait and see?

[pink aubergine]

I have to admit I've never had great success with John Innes No 1(holds onto too much moisture and rots the seeds) It obviously depends on your light and temperature and other growing conditions such as fluctuations in temperature.

 I have to admit that B&Q bulk bales and ordinary multipurpose compost works fantastically, but I dont have a branch near me at home, so I use  a multipurpose compost that has John Innes mixed in with it(mine is a Arthur Bowers brand- but I think others do it too). It just gives it a bit of oomph to hold onto moisture but is reasonably free draining so soes't keep the seeds too sodden.

I think vermiculite is cheap. A big bag lasts a year or more. I put the seeds on the compost and cover with a thin layer of the vermiculite.

The compost works really well for potting on, hanging baskets and pots etc