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Homebase compost

dian.slaydian.slay Posts: 3
in Problem solving
What ever you do don't buy this unless you want to kill your plants it's the worst garden product I have ever come across.  Many of my seeds did not germinate and those that did struggled with many failing even varieties that are normally prolific.  My plug plants without exception are very poor and not flourishing, they had been super little plugs when they arrived.  Sadly I have realised this much too late, I had thought it was the weather that was holding things back.  I should have realised that the fact the compost did not hold any moisture and went brick hard but green and slimy on top. some of the few plants that have survived have gone yellow. I am an experienced gardener and as a rule highly successful with growing my own seeds and plants for a large garden.

Posts

  • KarrenKarren Posts: 1
    I had a bad batch of compost last year and lost some tomato plants and most seeds did not germinate. No previous problems so I immediately bought another compost. My faulty bag was from Lidl. I had used them before with no problems so I put it down to an old/ faulty or contaminated batch. To be on the safe side I have bought the peat free compost this year from a local garden centre.
  • BenCottoBenCotto Posts: 4,718
    I fear you had a bad batch @dian.slay because in Which trials which are scientifically conducted using multiple bags Homebase compost fared pretty well.

    For seed sowing:
    MPC 7/17
    Peat free 11/17

    For raising young plants:
    MPC 4/15
    Peat free 9/15

    For containers
    MPC 6/25
    Peat free 11/25

    Rutland, England
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I certainly won't be buying any Homebase compost, because they closed both of the branches that I could get to reasonably easily. Before that I was a fairly regular customer.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • dian.slaydian.slay Posts: 3
    Hi Ben I can only say how it was for me I brought 14 of the large bags and nearly everyone was different which I found rather odd,  I have only 4 left and no decent results so far I was in tears this afternoon when I realised what was going on.  I am hoping to get some more compost tomorrow and try to replant it is just to daunting and too expensive to contemplate starting again. 
  • Mike AllenMike Allen Posts: 208
    My local Homebase. Sevenoaks Way. Kent.  Has been my local supplier of, J Arthur Bowers MPC..  OK each to their own.  Recently I noticed that, JAB has been dropped from stock and Homebase's own bales have come on scene.   So many thanks for posting.
  • CrazybeeladyCrazybeelady Posts: 778
    I use Homebase stuff a lot and have always found it to be fine? I think it must be luck of the draw, and maybe other external factors.
  • dian.slaydian.slay Posts: 3
    I am very pleased you have not experienced this problem its heartbreaking, perhaps yours came from a different supplier for Homebase in Warwickshire.
    All I can say is I have never experienced this problem in all the years I have been gardening.  I have just got home after purchasing another load of compost (£100) from elsewhere and about to start the process of repotting 100's of plants.  It may be I was unlucky and got a bad batch of Homebase compost but 14 of the 120L is not just bad luck and I would suggest more down to a poor product.
  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    Hope you contacted them about the issues you faced. But buying so many bags at the same time is extraordinary...I've used a few bags to mulch my garden with and all has been fine. Do find their compost much nicer than what B&Q supplies if I need to use it for mulch. I'm sure next time you'll buy a couple of bags and then go and buy another ten if happy with the quality. 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
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