I have to say in the last decade most of the traditional peat based MPC has been very unreliable too, this year I will be making my entire compost needs myself and I intend to make my own liquid feed too. I intend to film the process, so I will post up a youtube link when it's being done and you can see how I get on.
Coir also has to travel thousands of miles to get here. I accept the argument about the damage peat removal is doing, but is the solution really to use another product which must itself have a massive carbon footprint? It's like claiming electric vehicles will end pollution, and ignore the damage caused by the creation of the batteries.
This year I have been unable to buy any peat based compost from suppliers where I live. No one is selling it. I've bought Westland peat free compost and had to sieve when planting seed to remove large woody bits. That said when seedlings planted on everything seems to be growing as normal.
My only complaint is the damn flies that seem to lie dormant in the compost. As soon as I sowed the seed and placed in a propagator these tiny flies appeared all over the place. I move my seedlings into the house under grow lights as soon as they germinate and again the blasted flies seem to emerge from the compost.
I cant remember if this was the case with peat based compost as I cant remember my name half the time so its likely the same thing was happening with the peat based stuff. Are they not supposed to steam this stuff up to kill weed seed and pests?
'The power of accurate observation .... is commonly called cynicism by those that have not got it.
It's likely that the flies (fungus gnats) just arrived. They're around throughout the year and will soon sniff out some moist compost. I get them in my propagator every year shortly after sowing seed. They're a nuisance but don't seem to do any noticeable damage. I also get them around houseplants sometimes at any time of year
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
It's likely that the flies (fungus gnats) just arrived. They're around throughout the year and will soon sniff out some moist compost. I get them in my propagator every year shortly after sowing seed. They're a nuisance but don't seem to do any noticeable damage. I also get them around houseplants sometimes at any time of year
Thanks @Pete.8 that explains it then. They don't seem to do any damage as you say but they get me a b$$%"*ing from she who must be obeyed whos threating to ban my plants from the house. "Happy Wife , Happy Life" I'll have to construct a "cunning plan" to soothe her.
'The power of accurate observation .... is commonly called cynicism by those that have not got it.
I started using peat free years ago and found a wonderful brand but it was taken over by a large supplier and the quality fell off a cliff. Lately I have been using a local brand that has been very good but there is a lot of variation from one year to the next with many brands and this is something that the big suppliers need to address. It surely can't be beyond the ability of these companies to produce a consistent product?
Coir also has to travel thousands of miles to get here. I accept the argument about the damage peat removal is doing, but is the solution really to use another product which must itself have a massive carbon footprint? It's like claiming electric vehicles will end pollution, and ignore the damage caused by the creation of the batteries.
and whatever is used to produce the electricity ( usually gas )
Really dissatisfied and disappointed with most brands of peat free compost over the last few years. Not sure if it's due to a lack of supply and an increase in demand etc but bags I've purchsed have had glass, plastic clothes pegs, car indicator lenses and poly bags in it so I'll be sticking to peat based for the next few years or until it improves. I'm mot going to pay for someone else's rubbish.
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My only complaint is the damn flies that seem to lie dormant in the compost. As soon as I sowed the seed and placed in a propagator these tiny flies appeared all over the place. I move my seedlings into the house under grow lights as soon as they germinate and again the blasted flies seem to emerge from the compost.
I cant remember if this was the case with peat based compost as I cant remember my name half the time
'The power of accurate observation .... is commonly called cynicism by those that have not got it.
George Bernard Shaw'
They're around throughout the year and will soon sniff out some moist compost.
I get them in my propagator every year shortly after sowing seed. They're a nuisance but don't seem to do any noticeable damage.
I also get them around houseplants sometimes at any time of year
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Thanks @Pete.8 that explains it then. They don't seem to do any damage as you say but they get me a b$$%"*ing from she who must be obeyed
'The power of accurate observation .... is commonly called cynicism by those that have not got it.
George Bernard Shaw'
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Miracle Gro peat free has been OK so far, but I did prefer peat.
OH has just read an article that said that electric cars are much heavier than petrol cars and may cause multi storey car parks to collapse.