Peat free seed compost

zugenie · January 2023

The eternal question!! Does anyone have one they like?

I used to use dalefoot wool compost for seeds but I bought one of the, I think,
westland john innes ones because I didn’t want to order online, which seemed awful but I had incredible germination rates (and no fungus gnats to boot). Then when I moved some of the seedlings onto the dalefoot they started to struggle, I think it’s just too rich and water retentive for most seedlings.

I’ve bought the biochar one to try this year, I think I’ll pop to wilkos and get some coir to do a little side by side test with!

Has anyone had good results with any particular brands? Or had the same experience with dalefoots one?

chicky · January 2023

I’ve bought the Levington peat free seed compost this year - will start a few things off this weekend so will let you have initial thoughts then

Loxley · January 2023

I just use Sylvagrow MPC mixed with say 50% perlite.

Fairygirl · January 2023

It also depends when you're sowing. Seed compost isn't really necessary from now onwards, but is more useful in autumn as there's not the amount of nutrients in it. You don't want the seed/seedlings having loads of food from autumn through winter.

I'd go for something like @Loxley mentions [although Sylvagrow isn't available everywhere] as that cuts down the food and also means the drainage is sharp. Then an ordinary type once you're pricking out and potting on.
It can also depend on what you're sowing - some seed will be happy with a more retentive medium at the potting on stage anyway, and others will need to keep going with a sharper mix.
The composts seem to be so variable which makes it difficult for recommendations, and seemed much worse during the lockdown periods and through the pandemic. Higher demand and less material available, possibly.

zugenie · January 2023

@chicky that would be great, thank you!

@Loxley I have a bag of sylvagrow (lucky to have it stocked at our local GC) so maybe I’ll try that as another trial this year!

@Fairygirl it’s mostly flowers I’m growing at the moment, although I am hoping to have my veg beds in this year so with a bit of luck I’ll be starting off some veg in a few months!

The dalefoot is very rich and moisture retentive, which certainly has it’s benefits but isn’t right for everything (great for squash for example) I think flower seeds are a bit too delicate for it!

Fairygirl · January 2023

That's where the grit or Perlite would help for the extra drainage @zugenie . I think many people are experimenting with their own compost, and mixing coarse sand/grit etc, and/or other organic matter, to get a viable medium for sowing because so much of the commercial stuff has been so poor or inconsistent.
I know what you mean about many seeds being tiny - it can be tricky if the medium is a bit heavy or unforgiving.

MikeOxgreen · January 2023

Make your own, then there is no risk. Dowding has recently done a YT vid on it, backed up with theory and practice.

bédé · January 2023

There is nothing like moss peat.

I mix my own composts from home composted leafmould, riddled. I add vermicuite, pearlite, grit and sand to taste.

I sterilise in small lots in the oven. Like meat, above 70ºC for 5 minutes is good.

StephenSouthwest · February 2023

I find the Sylvagrow MPC does well for seeds. The Sylvagrow organic performs less well for me.

I'm also going to try some of my seived leafmould this year

zugenie · February 2023

@StephenSouthwest it would be great to hear how you get on with the leafmould!

bédé · February 2023

Leavemould quality depends on what leaves it is based on. How old itis***. Also how finely it is sieved.

*** I also suffer from howolditis

I usually keep mine in old 50 litre compost bags. Reversed for a more garden-friendly black. The beech and liquidambar are best. The chestnut and maple are too big so go on a separate heap. The catalpa is used too, but the stems take a time to rot.

Peat free seed compost

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