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Purchased compost - doesn't drain water

DevrimDevrim Posts: 13
in Problem solving
Hi everyone

I bought some bags of peat-free compost and it just doesn't drain water at all. The water sits on top and I have to physically mix it in before it absorbs into the compost. I mixed it with some manure and other compost and it still doesn't drain - here's a photo after last night's rain. When I try to water pot plants full of this stuff, it runs off the surface and doesn't sink in. 

Is there anything I can do to fix this? I have 5 big bags of the stuff and don't want it to go to waste  :(


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Posts

  • zugeniezugenie Posts: 831
    That doesn’t look right! What brand was it? I think I’d be returning it if I were you, I’m sure if you showed these pictures they’d refund you
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    edited May 2023
    Yuk! The usual complaint is that it won't hold water.
    What does it say on the bag re contents?
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • SueAtooSueAtoo Posts: 380
    I'm sure we'd all like to know what make / type it is.
    East Dorset, new (to me) rather neglected garden.
  • Winston_The_Gravity_ManWinston_The_Gravity_Man Posts: 263
    That's a bit weird, isn't it ?  Have a look at this site. Maybe it'll help ....

    Hydrophobic Soil & How to Fix It

    https://www.mrfothergills.com.au/pages/post/hydrophobic-soil

    When there's always biscuits in the tin, where's the fun in biscuits ?
  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328
    edited May 2023
    Fingers crossed this is a stupid question... but does the pot have a drainage hole?
    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    That looks like clayey soil rather than compost. Is this after you mixed in manure? I would take it back to the shop if this is representative of the actual compost.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • DevrimDevrim Posts: 13
    The compost is from a place local to me in North London called Thompsons of Crews Hill. I bought two varieties - one "lightweight peat free" and one "John Innes Type 2-3". It's possible they both dried out so much that they became hydrophobic as that link explains, because they came out of the bags incredibly dry. 

    In that photo I had mixed the John Innes Type with a small amount of my homemade compost and some manure in an attempt to improve the drainage - so that's the improved version! eek. (and yep the pot has a large drainage hole)

    It sounds like I should enquire about a refund. Glad to know it wasn't just me who thought it was behaving bizarrely! 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It's why so many people seem to be giving up on purchased composts now.
    The general consensus is that the quality and consistency of the products are so hit and miss, and it's not cheap either, which just compounds the whole problem. When seeds or plants fail to thrive, it adds to that too. 
    I think it's worth looking at a refund or replacement @Devrim. Very disappointing for you, and bl**dy annoying if you have to take it back or fight your corner or anything similar.  :/
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited May 2023
    How much water did you add to the JI type?  It looks as if it’s just been turned to mud. 
    JI type ‘compost’ is a loam-based growing medium and very different in its behaviour to the multi-purpose potting composts consisting of mainly fibrous vegetable matter. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    edited May 2023
    Note a slightly damp tea cloth soaks up water faster than one completely dry.  Yhe same with paper.  The same with compost/soil.

    1.  Add some water to the bag and leave a bit, then mix.

    2.  Add a small amount of wetting agent to the water.  Soap, washing up liquid , a large number of plant-based gums, gels and mucilages ...  The smallest amount.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
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