I like Levington pro M3 which is supposed to be used for potting on but I use it for everything. It is peat based. I did have a bag of Lidl once. Never again. I sieved out a third of it as large lumps and even found a 6 inch nail in it.
Ireland has enough peat to burn millions of tons a year in their power stations: I can live with the guilt of my few bags of compost.
It isn't just a few bags that gardeners use. It is millions of cubic litres of peat used in our gardens each year which adds to climate change and destroys fragile ecosystems. It is easier to think our own choices don't make a difference I guess. Don't get me wrong, I used tomato grow bags last year that contained peat, I drive a car, I use plastics, I fly, etc. I think I may have started wondering about what level of personal guilt I can take or which choices I can make to reduce the harm I do without impacting on my lifestyle excessively. What I found last year was that I can grow healthy plants without peat so for me it is a simple change.
Sorry to digress a little but I wondered please if anyone knew what % score the Jacks Magic received in the Which magazine compost test - as there are limited brands available in Ireland believe it or not. Many thanks Michael
Sorry to digress a little but I wondered please if anyone knew what % score the Jacks Magic received in the Which magazine compost test - as there are limited brands available in Ireland believe it or not. Many thanks Michael
It scored 90% for seeds but 61% for growing plants in containers. In other words good for seeds but rubbish for container plants.
I have been trying the Dalefoot composts which are based on composted Sheep wool & bracken. They are relatively expensive but I have found a GC in my area selling them at a reasonable price (much cheaper than by mail order). So far I am very pleased with the results for potting & growing in containers I have not tried the seed sowing version yet.
I’ve had a similar problem @allotmentboy. I've contacted a couple of local garden centres asking them to stock a high quality peat free compost such as the one you suggest or SylvaGrow. Sadly they weren’t interested.
That is where I am lucky the one in Enfield stocks the Dalefoot & another near St Albans stocks SylvaGrow. None of them stock Moorland gold though, mail order seems the only option for that one.
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