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Problems with commercial peat-free compost

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  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328
    Re weed seeds germinating so you don't know what's a weed and what's a wanted seedling:  on Beechgrove a few weeks ago, George was sharing a tip at his allotment.  He sowed a row of veg seeds and showed how you could add a little pinch of seed, all together, next to the label, so they would germinate together and give you an idea of what the "proper" seedlings looked like.
    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • bobsparkesbobsparkes Posts: 12

    First of all, a big thank you to all who have suggested ways to solve my problem - avoiding weeds that contaminate my seed trays. Liriodendron's recollection of G.W. George's advice does offer the best solution, I'll certainly try this next time. Pete.8 answered my original request (where to buy sterile seed compost) although his suggestion of Moorland Gold @ £15-£20 for 40 litres looks expensive. Thevictorian says "sterilise a little of your homemade compost" and I think this is what I'll do in future, because I bought a commercial sterilizer some years ago (with future prices it would cost me about £8 for about 40 litres). I also approved of MikeOxgreen's "hotbin composter" suggestion, at £36.95 for 380 litres. I might try one of these, although I suspect that it would be slow considering our normal Scottish temperatures. I bought a rotary composter years ago, especially for a mix of grass clippings and shredded cardboard, which promised results in a few months, but this is not true, it still takes the whole year!

    I promise to let you know how I get on.
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    If you try to sow your seeds in rows you can see then if there’s the odd weed.
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • bobsparkesbobsparkes Posts: 12
    Not always feasible, Lyn, have you ever sown a row of lobelia seeds?
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