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Seed compost
Frozz
Posts: 78
Hi everyone This year I will be growing various plants from seed for the first time. I have noticed there are many seed composts, and unsure if they are just a gimmick. Should I just stick to standard multipurpose compost? Help would be appreciated. Thanks
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Posts
The main difference is that seed compost doesn't contain much nutrient which can be bad for young seedlings. Having said that I have used sieved MP compost mixed with sharp sand for donkeys years and have had no problems at all growing from seed.
I always use seed compost, it is much finer than multipurpose and lets the seeds start off somewhere nice and easy for them. i then pot on into multipurpose when they have grown a bit. I don't think its a gimmick.
I agree, not a gimmick. I usually do a mix of seed compost, very fine grit (aquarium shop) and a bit of multipurpose.
Then some less fine gravel on top of the seeds
In the sticks near Peterborough
Is there a preferred make? I have read some negative reviews of john innes seed compost as too heavy??
John Innes isn't a make it's a type of compost. Several people make it, some badly I'm sure.
I find it a bit stiff and have broken roots when pricking out, which is why I do the mix.
In the sticks near Peterborough
I agree with bobthegardener sieved MP with sharps sand or pearlite is just as good as and cheaper and so far have given great results
Not sure if it's allowed to mention another magazine, but Which? Gardening have just done a review which shows huge differences between brands. Very interesting - some just aren't worth buying.
Doesn't surprise me
on a positive note Lincolnshire County a Council have a scheme , that when you take garden waste to the tip , they stamp a card and after 5 stamps you get a free bag of compost and I have found it excellent . wondered if other councils do the same ?
The problem with council compost is that you can't tell whether it contains clippings from lawns treated with weedkiller or similar. I'm sure a lot of people put them into their brown bins.
I've also had reports that some contains weed seeds.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.