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Compost again

WaterbutWaterbut Posts: 344
in Problem solving
I have had a disastrous Spring trying to grow anything from seed. As I have used the same methods in past years with great success I find that nothing happens or the seedlings die very quickly. Obviously it must be the compost I bought for my seeds. Before you all forget can I have your recommendations for compost manufactures for seeds for next Spring please or any home made mixtures you have found to be successful so I can have better results from my seed planting. Thanks.

Posts

  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    Expensive but Sylvagrow is RHS recommended. I think there is one for seedlings.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • clematisdorsetclematisdorset Posts: 1,348
    I have found John Innes no 1 ok for the few things I grow from seed, I mix it with grit.
    Sorry to witness the demise of the forum. 😥😥😥😡😡😡I am Spartacus 
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    John Innes is a mixture, not a manufacturer. There are many companies that make it.

    It is very hard to give recommendations, because every year compost seems to be different. I go into my local GC, where I know them fairly well and ask them which compost they think is best, each year.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    I use Sylvagrow MPC for everything, seeds get plenty of perlite or grit added.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    edited May 2023
    arossrob said:
     Obviously it must be the compost I bought for my seeds.

     That is far from obvious.  There may be another 1000 reasons.

     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."
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    edited May 2023

    On another thread, I can't remember which, I used JINo3 as an example of the perfect garden soil.  Good water holding capacity alongside good drainage. In a sedimentation test, I would expect it to be about equal, grit : sand: clay: organic.  In a test, Notcutt's JINo3 came out quite different.

    Anyone can now use the name "John Innes" freely.  It means little.  But I take it to mean "soil-based" at least.

    I have looked for my recent purchase of Westland JINo3; it was Levingtons. Mea culpa.  It feels perfect!

    I also bought Nottcuts 'all-purpose".  That also has the offensive phrase "naturally peat free".  What could be more natural than 0% peat, or 100% peat come to that?  It feels alright and I have used it with good effect.  A bit fast to dry and difficult to rewet I would guess.  But it's the topping to a bédé garden-compost:sandy soil blend use for mature plants outside in pots.


    I use "soil-based" compost for anything long term or where weight is important.  For cuttings and seed I use all-pupose plus vermiculite &/or perlite.
     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."
  • WaterbutWaterbut Posts: 344
    Thanks for the comments I will give Sylvagrow a shot next year. What could go possibly go wrong if it is recommended by the RHS!
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    Sometimes it's hard to get hold of. I'd grab a bag when you see one.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • REMF33REMF33 Posts: 731
    I have used Fertile Fiber seed compost two years running with perfectly normal/good (nothing died, most things came up and few enough didn't for me to think it was the seed) results. Expensive but in spite of growing hundreds of things from seed, I never get through a whole bag.
  • clematisdorsetclematisdorset Posts: 1,348
    I have just checked my John Innes no 1 and it is indeed manufactured by Westland. Thanks to @punkdoc and @bede. I bought it in the autumn of last year. It tends to suit my sandy garden. 
    Sorry to witness the demise of the forum. 😥😥😥😡😡😡I am Spartacus 
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