Forum home Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Peat Free Compost

2

Posts

  • *Astrantia**Astrantia* Posts: 307
    I understand we have to go peat free but I was shocked at the fact that there was plastic in it and it hadn’t even been sived, and still the same price! the old JM was very fine & I did a double check that it was actually the same brand, I bought some from b&q last year (their own brand) and it was similar & cheaper, the fact that they have put “new and improved” is what annoyed me most it’s “not & isnt
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    ... the fact that they have put “new and improved” is what annoyed me most it’s “not & isnt
    Marketing-speak over facts. No-one ever says "new but not so good....."
    I am working on the basis that none of the peat-free stuff that I can get hold of around here (no Silvagrow) is as good as I would like, so I just get whatever's convenient. I picked up two bags in Lidl yesterday but I've not opened them yet.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • debs64debs64 Posts: 5,184
    I have had Durstons delivered by milkman peat free and seems ok. Trying to grow seeds in biodegradable pots and coir has been more of a trial to be honest. 
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    Sound good. We haven't had a milkman (or milkperson? - our last one was a woman) for about 15 or 20 years. She retired, someone else took over the round but didn't last long because he often didn't deliver until after most people had gone to work so the milk was sitting on the doorstep all day. He lost most of the customers including us pretty quickly and then packed it in.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • LeadFarmerLeadFarmer Posts: 1,500
    I've bought bags of both peat and peat free this year, and when putting into plant pots I'm mixing the two together 50:50.

    When sieving both, there's an awful lot of rubbish in the bags that I discard or throw on the compost heap.
  • PerkiPerki Posts: 2,527
    I've had two bags of the new and improved  Jack's magic and agree its awful stuff ,water retention is shocking. 50L bag now used to be 60L I'll be avoiding it in future .
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    Just buy Melcourt Sylvagrow. I think it's the main brand used in the nursery trade. 

    There's a list of voluntarily peat free nurseries here, most of whom made the change years ago. I've had plants from several of these (Knoll Nurseries, Arvensis and Longacres). Also Avondale Nursery, which isn't on the list but are 100% peat free. To me, if they can run a commercial operation peat free, there's no reason to use peat domestically. 

    https://dogwooddays.net/2020/04/30/updated-peat-free-nurseries-list/
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • Jenny_AsterJenny_Aster Posts: 945
    At our local Wickes (Wisbech) they've got a NEW product 'Wickes MPC' 100L for £10, they were offering it cheaper if bought 5 bags (this offer I think has now expired). What I didn't realise at the time was that there was no mention of 'peat free'. It's only when I was using it yesterday when I thought 'this is good stuff' when I realised. 

    https://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Multi-Purpose-Compost---100L/p/253382?utm_source=Website&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=confirmation#
    Trying to be the person my dog thinks I am! 

    Cambridgeshire/Norfolk border.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Sylvagrow isn't readily available everywhere though. I'd have to drive for an hour to get it. Kinda counter productive  ;)

    If it doesn't state that it's peat free @Jenny_Aster, then it isn't. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Jenny_AsterJenny_Aster Posts: 945
    edited April 2022
    Fairygirl said:


    If it doesn't state that it's peat free @Jenny_Aster, then it isn't. 
    Sorry didn't make myself clear, it was a suggestion for those who are lamenting about Jack's Magic. Perhaps Wickes has purchased peat that is still in the pipe-line, undercutting Jack's Magic?

    I still hold-out that Wickes peat free is awful.
    Trying to be the person my dog thinks I am! 

    Cambridgeshire/Norfolk border.
Sign In or Register to comment.