[rowlandwells]

for those of you out there who sow both veg and flower seeds do you sieve your compost's before sowing your seeds in trays or modules?

I ask this question because we always sieve our compost before sowing both in trays and modules but not when we are potting on plants

we opened a bag of M/P compost [a well known brand ]the other day so called 50/50 compost  and it basically containing a large amounts of wood fibre and  when sieved there was very little fine compost to use I must admit I only bought 3 bags of this compost brand because it was on offer its not our usual brand we use that cost's costing slightly more but has no wood fibre content only small amounts of bark chippings that's not a problem because we usually put that in the bottom of the pot when potting on anyway

so back to the question do you sow your seed on compost as it comes out of the bag without sieving  or do you sieve prior to sowings ?

[mumofstig]

I have in the past had to sieve some for sowing fine seeds, but don't usually.

[Longshanks]

Not usually, but I do pick the bigger lumps out.

[steven c]

we sieve home made compost then mix about 50  50 with bought mpc as a basic sowing mix then tweek this depending on what we are sowing adding grit vermiculite etc for our greenhouse buckets we dont bother to sieve just mix with well rotted manure and mpc for tomatoes chillies aubergines.

[Subversive_plot]

I don't sieve but may pick out large or weird objects (I've removed rocks, pine cones, plastic objects for example).

Big bits of bark may go in the bottom of a module before seeding, if I bother with them at all

[comfreykid]

I don’t sieve , but l will pick out any obviously alien contents , increasingly common in certain brands ! .
What l do tend to do is to “ rub “ the compost between my fingers , as if l was making pastry and blending the fat and flour , picking out any obviously sticky bits. 

[AndyRVTR]

The only time I sieve is if I'm growing parsnips or carrots in pots.. generally it's just a quick rub through the fingers and pick out any big bits if there's any.

[8doubles]

I'm definately a siever where small seeds are concerned.
I also put my bought compost through a fast bladed shredder to knock every lump out , it comes out fluffier than cotton wool and tomato roots love it.

[snowdrops]

Depends on a few things really, a,state of compost I’m using & b, type of seeds I’m sowing. If the compost is a bit ’big’ I fill the pot up to within an inch of where I want it to end up, then just sieve some in before sowing then sieve more to cover if required according to seed packet instructions.

[mower man]

I always sieve my compost before sowing any seeds
Last year I found nylon cord, iron screws nails glass plus large bits of wood
I will not buy that compost again!!
When I transplant I use a larger sieve

[jezza]

Hello I now sieve all compost as  most of it is composted garden waste ,straw ,ewage sludge blend I always wear gloves when rubbing compost through a sieve    jezza

[rowlandwells]

that's good advise Jez I never thought of that then again not all the compost's contain garden waste do they ?
its probably best to check when buying what makes up the compost it should state that info on the bag?

 I  have already bought some bags of compost's for the next season that is said not to  contain garden waste but I'm going to be very careful when buying new compost's  of the contents especially peat free that I don't buy anyway