I don't know if anyone else has noticed but at my local garden centre claimed they have far more spoiled bags because people are ripping holes in them to see what is inside. ...
I can understand why people might want to do that. I wouldn't do it myself but if there's already a split/open bag I take the opportunity to have a look.
Perhaps they should have one open bag of each type of compost so people can see what they're buying. Or it could be sold in transparent bags (like gravel etc is) or bags with a transparent section.
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
I don't know if anyone else has noticed but at my local garden centre claimed they have far more spoiled bags because people are ripping holes in them to see what is inside. ...
I can understand why people might want to do that. I wouldn't do it myself but if there's already a split/open bag I take the opportunity to have a look.
Perhaps they should have one open bag of each type of compost so people can see what they're buying. Or it could be sold in transparent bags (like gravel etc is) or bags with a transparent section.
Or they could do some quality control and not sell stuff that isn't fit for (multi)purpose. Easier said than done with the varying quality on offer these days though.
If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
The retailers probably don't know any better than we do what they're going to get in the bags from the manufacturers. Even for the own-brand products like B&Q, the individual stores don't seem have a say in what they stock. Although whoever's in charge of writing the specifications for own-brand products could do a better job, and check that what is delivered meets the spec.
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
I'm trying a new compost this year which I have heard good reports about, especially for roses. It's very expensive and unlikely to appeal to most home gardeners for this reason. I don't think you will find it in garden centres either..
..dark and rich but not as fine as peat composts. Rather like a composted leaf mould.
@Marlorena I have used this compost in the past a few specialist GC'S do sell it but it mostly comes from direct orders delivered. It's excellent for mature plants but when tested by Garden Which, they found it didn't perform well for seeds or young seedlings. Their conclusion was that it's too rich for that purpose. They do produce a formulation for seed sowing, but even that didn't do well in the Which trial. For gross feeders it's great though. It's based on an old recipe using composted wool and bracken, both waste products for many hill farmers.
..thanks..yes it's not a multi purpose.. I intend to use it for potting on and mulching. Probably not something I would buy again on a regular basis, unless it proves exceptional, which it should at the price..
I'll look out for it in the garden centre..
Incidentally, my main concern about it is that bracken is carcinogenic, but I've been reassured about the production methods..
I went to a local Home Bargains today to see if they were still selling any peat compost, they had three different types of peat compost so I bought a bag of each to take home and inspect.
Westland Growbag 30L £2.99 or 10p per litre This has no mention of being peat free, so I assume it contains peat, though it doesn't mention that it does either. It felt quite dry to the touch, but looked liked normal peat compost.
Levington Multi Purpose 40L £3.49 or 8p per litre Description on the back of the bag suggests this contains around 40% peat. This contains some fibres of what might be wood or uncomposted vegetation
Westland Multi Purpose 50L £4.99 or 10p per litre Description on the back of the bag suggests this contains around 70% peat This was quite damp to the touch, water dripped out when squeezing it into a ball in the hand, but out of the three it felt and looked the better product.
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..dark and rich but not as fine as peat composts. Rather like a composted leaf mould.
It's based on an old recipe using composted wool and bracken, both waste products for many hill farmers.
..thanks..yes it's not a multi purpose.. I intend to use it for potting on and mulching. Probably not something I would buy again on a regular basis, unless it proves exceptional, which it should at the price..
I'll look out for it in the garden centre..
Incidentally, my main concern about it is that bracken is carcinogenic, but I've been reassured about the production methods..
Westland Growbag 30L
£2.99 or 10p per litre
This has no mention of being peat free, so I assume it contains peat, though it doesn't mention that it does either. It felt quite dry to the touch, but looked liked normal peat compost.
Levington Multi Purpose 40L
£3.49 or 8p per litre
Description on the back of the bag suggests this contains around 40% peat.
This contains some fibres of what might be wood or uncomposted vegetation
Westland Multi Purpose 50L
£4.99 or 10p per litre
Description on the back of the bag suggests this contains around 70% peat
This was quite damp to the touch, water dripped out when squeezing it into a ball in the hand, but out of the three it felt and looked the better product.