Cost effective compost

Scribbler · « **on:** March 28, 2008, 11:39 »

I always reckoned that growbags were a pretty economical way of buying compost. About £1.50 each or even cheaper if you buy three - or whatever.

But the Mrs in her finite wisdom says buying big bags of compost as compost - as opposed to growbags - is actually cheaper. Trouble is growbags don't seem to say how much you get on the bag.

Anyone done any costings?

puravida · « **Reply #1 on:** March 28, 2008, 12:35 »

I think a growbag contains about 35L of compost whereas a good sized bag of regular compost contains about 75.

I had a pallet of 75L bags compost delivered from Travis Perkins and it came to approx £2.60 per 75L bag.

Even cheaper, if you have the space and access is to buy it by the tonne bag.

mikem · « **Reply #2 on:** March 28, 2008, 13:52 »

I spent some time looking, locally it was cheaper to buy growbags and they are also easier to carry and stack. From memory my ones cost about £1 each for (I think) 33L at Focus but that was with a 15% discount that they were offering.

I don't know if growbags are better but the content always looks better than the larger bales - I may be wrong, it wouldn't be the first time! :oops:

gregmcalister · « **Reply #3 on:** March 28, 2008, 13:58 »

I tend to go for the 2 for a tenner offer in B&Q. I get two 180 litre bags which works out at around 5p/litre

DD. · « **Reply #4 on:** March 28, 2008, 14:07 »

I've used growbag compost for years. Get the right offer & it does work out cheaper. (Don't have space for a pallett load - or the need!).

Dominic · « **Reply #5 on:** March 28, 2008, 14:24 »

I use the B&Q big bags

135L is 2 for £10
150L is £6.xx

* to move around, I'm in reasonable shape but picking up 150l of soil out of a hatch back and carrying it into the back garden is murder.

Dont seem to have them online so not sure if they can be ordered for delivery.

Scribbler · « **Reply #6 on:** March 28, 2008, 14:48 »

Getting a wheelbarrow this weekend so this might help!

nobby · « **Reply #7 on:** March 28, 2008, 16:28 »

loose compost from my local councel composting site is £5 par cubic meter

diggerjoe · « **Reply #8 on:** March 28, 2008, 16:33 »

B&Q made a mistake with my order and when the deliverd the new shed for home ( old one going to lottie) they gave me twice as many even when i said they told me it was right - who was I to argue trouble is like Dominic said shifting them about takes some welly - I'm having to decant to carriers on my bike and shift them bit by bit - some how the free ones seem lighter

lee79 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 28, 2008, 19:02 »

I've only been buying the odd bag (no room, or sizable transport for bulk). But it's £1.27 for 30ltr for a grow bag and 89p for 15ltr regular compost bag, making the grow bag cheaper for me.

WhippetMaster · « **Reply #10 on:** March 28, 2008, 19:29 »

I buy general purpose compost for 3 75L bags for £10
225L for £10 with added John Innes whatever that is!!!!

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