It all depends on what they are sowing. I assumed they are bedding or perennial seedlings that would require seed compost for drainage and less chance of infection. Garden compost would fit that purpose sieved or not sieved.
Obviously, most seeds that are grown directly in to well prepared soil are designed for that purpose
So hopefully that allays your confusion
Thanks for all the info. I’m growing veg only this year and as our soil is cold and heavy clay I start the seedlings in a cold greenhouse in heated propagator. I think some of the small seeds will be a challenge.
I have a similar question (and on-line deliveries depend where you live!) All the garden centres near me are closed and I am in the self-isolating category. I have many seeds to sow and plants to go into pots but I have no seed & potting compost or multi purpose compost. I DO have mediterranean potting compost and water plant compost - both a bit elderly; I am unable to access any garden soil. Can I use either of these composts safely, to sow seeds or plant bulbs / rhizomes? Any advice very welcome
Hi @heather.thomassen I have no idea what Mediterranean compost is, but seeds don't need any nutrition to start them off, so I'd guess that could be fine for seeds. Bulbs have their nutrition 'in house' so aquatic compost would be fine for those, as it contains less nutrients than ordinary compost. I'd say any rhizomes would be fine in that too, and you can always add some liquid or granular feed, if you have it, at a later date. It may only be a problem when you need to move seeds on, if you don't have anything to use, but even a little garden soil would do if you can sieve it to make it fine enough. Light soil would be fine though.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Thanks for this. Mediterranean compost is designed for citrus trees. I don't have any access to garden soil, sadly. Good point about the seeds not needing nutrients initially. I do have plenty of granular fertiliser and tomorite (which I understand is pretty much suitable for everything or have I misunderstood?) Thanks again - now to brave the elements -it's very cold today!
It might be worth sowing fewer seeds than normal - just in case you struggle to get any compost for moving them on. Tomorite is excellent for flowering/fruiting plants I'd imagine the Med. compost will simply be freer draining, lighter stuff, so I'd say it should be fine for seeds. Try a few and see anyway
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I am in the same position, no compost for potting on tomato seedlings (assuming they survive, it’s been very cold, cloudy and rainy and they are looking rather leggy). Had a brainwave - I am going to whizz up to a fine crumb the dry bits of my leaf mould in the food processor, mix it with the existing seed compost the toms are currently growing in and a bit of my clay garden soil.
So whizzed leaf mould (collect in in a bag on your next exercise outing), pre-dampened. As it’s low in nutrients, would that would work as a direct seed-sowing substrate?
Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
I am just fortifying last years spent compost with some of my own and a bit of BF&B and hoping youngest daughter can find some before May when the planting begins (I hope) and I have peppers and aubergines and cucumbers to feed!
"The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it." Sir Terry Pratchett
I think you just have to have a go @Nollie. Can't do any harm to try. The clay will provide enough nutrients for the toms just now anyway. I was saying on another thread that I grew cherry toms very successfully at a previous house where we had a large conservatory. I had them in small pots, with no bases, and standing in a seed tray with some compost in them on the windowsills. It meant they could get roots down, and they had enough sustenance, easy to water etc. too. We can't grow outdoors here, and it meant I didn't need massive pots, as I would have then struggled as they got taller.
Just remember to clean the food mixer - although it might add a bit of crunch to the next mixture you have in it....
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Posts
It all depends on what they are sowing. I assumed they are bedding or perennial seedlings that would require seed compost for drainage and less chance of infection. Garden compost would fit that purpose sieved or not sieved.
Obviously, most seeds that are grown directly in to well prepared soil are designed for that purpose So hopefully that allays your confusion
Thanks for all the info. I’m growing veg only this year and as our soil is cold and heavy clay I start the seedlings in a cold greenhouse in heated propagator. I think some of the small seeds will be a challenge.
Bulbs have their nutrition 'in house' so aquatic compost would be fine for those, as it contains less nutrients than ordinary compost. I'd say any rhizomes would be fine in that too, and you can always add some liquid or granular feed, if you have it, at a later date.
It may only be a problem when you need to move seeds on, if you don't have anything to use, but even a little garden soil would do if you can sieve it to make it fine enough. Light soil would be fine though.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Tomorite is excellent for flowering/fruiting plants
I'd imagine the Med. compost will simply be freer draining, lighter stuff, so I'd say it should be fine for seeds. Try a few and see anyway
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I am just fortifying last years spent compost with some of my own and a bit of BF&B and hoping youngest daughter can find some before May when the planting begins (I hope) and I have peppers and aubergines and cucumbers to feed!
The clay will provide enough nutrients for the toms just now anyway.
I was saying on another thread that I grew cherry toms very successfully at a previous house where we had a large conservatory. I had them in small pots, with no bases, and standing in a seed tray with some compost in them on the windowsills. It meant they could get roots down, and they had enough sustenance, easy to water etc. too.
We can't grow outdoors here, and it meant I didn't need massive pots, as I would have then struggled as they got taller.
Just remember to clean the food mixer - although it might add a bit of crunch to the next mixture you have in it....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...