[dawninspain]

When we dug out our compost heap recently the compost was so well broken down and sweet smelling that I sieved a couple of bag fulls and have used it for seed compost. A week on and nothing is up yet (squashes, toms, peppers, chillis). I don't have a propogator but have plastic covers over the trays and they are indoors (min temp about 20 degrees). But nothing is up yet. I am sure other years there has been some sign of life by now. V.worried that homemade compost is no good for seeds. Advice please.

BTW - hello everyone- this is my first post.

[DD.]

Welcome to the forum.

After just a week, I wouldn't start panicing yet, but there is a possibility that pure compost is a bit too rich for seeds, I'd have been inclined to mix it with some loam (soil). Seeds don't need a lot of nutrients to germinate, in my opinion, and my opinion only    your compost would have been more suited to a vigorously growing plant.

[WG.]

I agree with DD, your compost isn't going to stop your seeds growing but the extra nutrients might give you some surface moss/algae/mould growth.  If this happens, try to remove it carefully so as not to damage the seedlings.

[muntjac]

next time mix ur compost with 4 barrows of compost to one of sharp sand. . 3 of loam ( soil cleaned of rubbish)  i make my own but i add my own fertlilisers to a mix of  peat sub. sharp sand loam  yours wil be rich enough as it is in my mind , just store it with a cover on for as long as you like you can use this for potting on or anything  

[agapanthus]

next time mix ur compost with 4 barrows of compost to one of sharp sand. . 3 of loam ( soil cleaned of rubbish)  i make my own but i add my own fertlilisers to a mix of  peat sub. sharp sand loam  yours wil be rich enough as it is in my mind , just store it with a cover on for as long as you like you can use this for potting on or anything  

What fertlisers do you use Munt?

[muntjac]

sulphate of ammonia ,sulphate of potash  hoof n horn n bone meal . , alos for a refreshing of old stuff add some growmore hon

[agapanthus]

Cheers Munt

[muntjac]

ur welcome agggypants  

[dawninspain]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I'll let you know later if I do get germination and in the meantime will 'dilute' my compost for any future sowings.

[shaun]

very old leaf mould (2 years +)  is another good thing to make seed compost well riddled and a bit of washed sand added into it.