[Lesleyk]

Looking for a good, light seed compost - preferably not John Innes as my experience in the past has been that I might as well use garden soil, it is so heavy the poor seeds couldn't force their way out with a sledgehammer.  I've been looking online and found good and bad reviews for B&Q and Vital Earth - any thoughts?  My wee seeds really struggled last year (veg and flowers) and I want to give them a good start in life.  Have thought about mixing my own but not feeling that confident.

[LilacSandy]

I get mine from our allotment shop, I think it is called Clover.  Very soft, almost silky and never any bits at all.

[mumofstig]

I just use ordinary multipurpose, but sieve it for smaller seeds, or if it's lumpy

[Yorkie]

We have Clover multipurpose - does the job for me too 

[Lesleyk]

Can you find Clover online?  I've checked their website but there doesn't seem to be mail order.

[solway cropper]

For the last three years I've used Westland John Innes as it's the only one that's shown consistency. Very light, quite sandy and no lumps. Beware of anything that says 'with added John Innes' as it's quite meaningless. The JI compost for seeds and cuttings is a specific formulation and works very well although it is more expensive than most of the alternatives. Because it does contain some nutrients the seedlings do seem able to stay in it for much longer...very important in our unstable climate when you can't always get on the plot to transplant stuff.

[LilacSandy]

Try to  Google 'clover compost stockists', or you could try asking at a local allotment site if they stock it and can supply it to you, even if they stock another product it is likely to be of good quality as the members will not want to buy twiggy rubbish.  I pay £4.50 a 60ltr bag.

[pdblake]

I just use ordinary multipurpose, but sieve it for smaller seeds, or if it's lumpy

Same here.

[Lesleyk]

Had thought about sieving normal multi purpose, but wouldn't the nutrient value still be a bit too high for seeds/seedlings?

[mumofstig]

My seedlings have never complained 

tbh I don't think there are many nutrients in multipurp