At risk of being told off for repeating myself, I have found several products much more fibrous and coarse this year. Rather than just moan on here I emailed some of the companies , both Westland and Levington seem to be using an uncomposted wood fibre. ( looks like munched up match wood) Both responses were similar basically giving me the brush off, claiming it is a manufactured product they are using to reduce peat. I also contacted Dalefoot, the maker of wool and bracken composts about a slightly different issue. The response could not have been more different they were most concerned, thanked me for the feedback, agreed that the compost was not as usual. They have sent replacement, product direct to me. Faith restored, I will use it again, it is expensive compared to some others but worth it in my view.
I've tried numerous brand of PF ..I'm not impressed. I still buy MPC containing peat. I figure its already been harvested so essentially the damage has been done and if I don't buy it somebody else certainly will. My insistence on buying PF will go unnoticed in any case and the casual or occasional compost buyer doesn't care. When peat compost is banned (which I'm sure it will be although that decision won't be unduly influenced by the consumer or amateur gardener as much as people imagine) I'll deal with it but whilst its still legally available I'll buy it.
I have tried two brands of peat free compost this year (2021) and both have been awful with bits of wood and even wire in them. I'm presuming the stuff is coir or mushroom compost based and is fine as a mulch or in planting holes, but is simply useless for seed sowing, pricking out or other "micro level" tasks. The compost seems to need more shredding or composting before being sold. I'm afraid I shall not be buying any more. From comments on GW, many people seem to be having the same problems with it. I would like to know why the version the GW team use seems so much better.
Probably because its been sieved before we ever see it @timwells23, plus they add so many other things like garden compost, leaf mould, and grit that it isn't the main component by the end. Not all of us has all the other additives to improve the start medium.
WwI have tried two brands of peat free compost this year (2021) and both have been awful with bits of wood and even wire in them. I'm presuming the stuff is coir or mushroom compost based and is fine as a mulch or in planting holes, but is simply useless for seed sowing, pricking out or other "micro level" tasks. The compost seems to need more shredding or composting before being sold. I'm afraid I shall not be buying any more. From comments on GW, many people seem to be having the same problems with it. I would like to know why the version the GW team use seems so much better.
Television programs like GW (and the magazine) are very carefully edited, sometimes to promote certain agendas or messages, albeit in a subtle manner.
WwI have tried two brands of peat free compost this year (2021) and both have been awful with bits of wood and even wire in them. I'm presuming the stuff is coir or mushroom compost based and is fine as a mulch or in planting holes, but is simply useless for seed sowing, pricking out or other "micro level" tasks. The compost seems to need more shredding or composting before being sold. I'm afraid I shall not be buying any more. From comments on GW, many people seem to be having the same problems with it. I would like to know why the version the GW team use seems so much better.
Television programs like GW (and the magazine) are very carefully edited, sometimes to promote certain agendas or messages, albeit in a subtle manner.
methink not so subtly. They seem incapable of using the word " compost " with adding "peat free" in front of it.
I tried peat free in my hanging baskets this year and they are dreadful compared to previous years. I make them for friends and family too and nobody is happy. They represent a considerable investment in plants so won’t be using peat free next year. Maybe a mix?
The stuff I used this spring was very woody too. The plants seem to be growing OK but the stuff drains like a sieve (even with some homemade compost mixed in) so watering is much more challenging. It seems to work better with drip irrigation than with watering from a can or hose, and with shallow saucers under pots so that some of the water that drains straight through is retained and can be taken back up.
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
Glad it’s not just me .PF compost has no ‘ guts ‘ in it . I shall be using my normal one. The global warming is still going to happen if I use it or not .
Posts
Rather than just moan on here I emailed some of the companies , both Westland and Levington seem to be using an uncomposted wood fibre. ( looks like munched up match wood) Both responses were similar basically giving me the brush off, claiming it is a manufactured product they are using to reduce peat.
I also contacted Dalefoot, the maker of wool and bracken composts about a slightly different issue. The response could not have been more different they were most concerned, thanked me for the feedback, agreed that the compost was not as usual. They have sent replacement, product direct to me. Faith restored, I will use it again, it is expensive compared to some others but worth it in my view.
I still buy MPC containing peat. I figure its already been harvested so essentially the damage has been done and if I don't buy it somebody else certainly will. My insistence on buying PF will go unnoticed in any case and the casual or occasional compost buyer doesn't care. When peat compost is banned (which I'm sure it will be although that decision won't be unduly influenced by the consumer or amateur gardener as much as people imagine) I'll deal with it but whilst its still legally available I'll buy it.