[mumofstig]

Anyone used or know of the reclaimed compost that Council waste collection services provide?

They do it near me £3 a bag or 2 for a fiver.

It can be dug in, like you would your home made compost from the compost bin, to improve the condition of your soil.

But it does not replace the sowing/multipurpose compost that is usually bought in for sowing seeds in, as discussed above  

[snowdrops]

Last year I redesigned my back garden & wanted to improve the soil, Mr S wasn't keen on having manure so close to the house.I was aware that some councils sell the county compost loose so I contacted ours & after quite a few phone calls managed to arrange delivery of 2 tons for £60-the price of the diesel apparently.I was thrilled. When delivery day arrived I was ready,checked with the chap it was well rotted.Then he began to tip it on to the drive,as it slid down from this huge container & I thought it was wonderful stuff.Then it kept coming & coming.The chap hopped out of the cab & I asked him how much there was .He replied "oh about 4 1/2 ton" When I told him I'd only ordered 2 ton he told the boss was very generous! It took me all day to shift it.I was just sweeping up the last shovel full when Mr S came home! We used every last bit on the garden & I would love to get some for the allotments but it would be organizing for everyone to move it the day it arrives. :blink: :blink:

[Gandan57]

I was drawn to Homebase last weekend as the 15% off signs were outside, but on reading the small print, realised I had to spend £50 to qualify for the 15% off. Went and looked at composts but decided they were too pricey at around £5 for 60 litres.

So I went to a farm shop between North Petherton and Bridgwater and picked up four 70 litre bags of Godwins multi purpose for £11. Also had five bags mushroom compost for £7, five bags peat for £7.50 and a 25 kilo bag of wilja eating spuds for £5.80. That`s a car load!

[SUTTY1]

i've used wickes own for my seeds and potting for a few years and been very happy with it, asda's 2 for £6 seemed good too despite its very fibrous appearance, held water well.

ALso arranged 20tonne drops off lose black compost(believed ex-council) for our site at £200, great soil improver. I use this in buckets in one greenhouse for peppers, tom's, melons, aubergines, chilli's etc.

I'd love to think 1 day i'll be self-sufficient in compost but maybe100% efficiency is only a dream

[fatbelly]

If you have a Morrison's supermarket near you keep an eye out for 70l compost that they sell for 2.50 ish which is very cheap but when you open it up it looks like it is from a council recycling site and not that good.

However for the past 2 years I have bought some kept it in the garage until the next year and it composts down further and is then lovely stuff

[jonewer]

I bought 4x 120l bags of homebase general pupose stuff. Anyone know whats its like?

Also, whats wrong with peat in compost? Is it just about preserving peat fields for what they should be used for (making whisky) or does it harm the soil?

[Jamie Butterworth]

I bought 4x 120l bags of homebase general pupose stuff. Anyone know whats its like?

Also, whats wrong with peat in compost? Is it just about preserving peat fields for what they should be used for (making whisky) or does it harm the soil?

Have a look at this link:

http://www.wildlifetrust.org.uk/cheshire/documents/advice_peatfree.pdf

[harry]

B & Q general purpose  £1.00 for 20 ltrs not bad

[mrsparkle]

Ive been using some multipurpose stuff I picked up in asda last year. Its not very good though as I keep finding bits of cardboard and other fibrous materials.

[Jamie Butterworth]

Just finished off the last lot of B&Q compost, good stuff and has worked great

I think im going to get my next lot from wickes, 4 for £13

[Comfortably Numb]

I'm using the Wickes peat based 4 for £13. It's really nice stuff. A pleasure to plunge your hands into 

[Chrysalis]

I got 3x 50litres Westland multi-purpose compost with added John Innes for £11.98, at Wyevale this week.  Some woody bits, but mostly terrific.

At last some seeds in propagator and on windowsills....

[Jome]

Just wanted to add there is a 4 day offer at my local B&Q.

x3 70litres of B&Q multipurpose compost for £10 or
x4 50 litres of John Arthur Bowers m/p compost for £10

Half price log edging rolls, about £3.99 I think for a couple of metres

Lots of good deals on sheds and storage too.

[Kristen]

x3 70litres of B&Q multipurpose compost for £10 or

Pretty sure Wyevale is doing that too - I think its the Arthur Bowers brand. Part of their "Winter Marketing Push" or whatever its called!, and you may have to join their garden club (but that's free and you can do it there & then)

[hubballi]

I am also not sure what to buy for seed sewing. Alyce Fowler in her book said Innes Number one for seeds. In the past I used to buy cheap B and M compost for sewing with bits of plastic etc etc. Never again. I want the best but not expensive.

I might go to Wilkinsons later and also Poundland who sell Innes.