Homemade seed compost

dawninspain · « **on:** March 03, 2007, 10:22 »

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. · « **Reply #1 on:** March 03, 2007, 12:20 »

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. · « **Reply #2 on:** March 03, 2007, 12:30 »

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 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 03, 2007, 13:06 »

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 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 03, 2007, 20:35 »

Quote from: "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

What fertlisers do you use Munt?

muntjac · « **Reply #5 on:** March 03, 2007, 20:37 »

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

agapanthus · « **Reply #6 on:** March 03, 2007, 20:50 »

Cheers Munt

muntjac · « **Reply #7 on:** March 03, 2007, 20:52 »

ur welcome agggypants

dawninspain · « **Reply #8 on:** March 03, 2007, 23:19 »

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 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 04, 2007, 07:56 »

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.

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Homemade seed compost

dawninspain

WG.

dawninspain