I will have to read that later gold1locks, when the kids are in bed.
I'd like to update my original post a little ;-
When I first started this thread my intention, a part from share my dissatisfaction, was to take this product back to the retail shop from which I purchased it from. I changed my mind and kept it. Yesterday, I spent some time in the back yard doing daft jobs like change the pots around and noticed that the pot which holds this RUBBISH , has gone all mouldy. The kind of white stringy mould/fungus you find on wet rotting pieces of timber. The only thing that springs to mind that thrives in conditions like these are mushrooms, not plants. It's only fit for one purpose, a further 6 months composting in my compost holder.
This product is not fit for the job its intended for. I'm sure there is some sort of consumer regulation regarding this matter - anyone complained to Watchdog yet - Anne would love this !!!
I bought a bag of seed compost from Pound stretcher and found a 2inch piece of glass in it. Fortunately I noticed it before breaking compost down with my hand.
I have had some good multi-purpose compost from Countrywide but it does have peat in it.
There's a place in the village next to me that sells mushroom compost by the bag. I was wondering if I could use that maybe mixed with some of my home grown stuff this year as all of you say that they are all the same, rubbish!
But I was not sure if this mushroom stuff would only be good for digging in the veg plot. Any ideas folks please?
I thought as much. I remember back about 40 years ago, we put some on the veg patch because it was a new house and the clay soil was unworkable. Each morning we came out to pick some mushrooms to have in a fry up. It helped break down the lumps and I have not used it since. But with all this info on the shop bought stuff I just gave it a thought. I might dig some into the greenhouse soil and maybe get some mushrooms again! Not for a fry-up though as we are at that age where we watch our cholesterol!
Spent mushroom compost will have lost most of its fertilizing capability, but it will still have a lot of trace elements that are important for plant health, so it is a good mulch, and good for working in with the rest of your compost, and is also good as a soil conditioner as Sotongeoff says. Be careful where you apply it though. It is alkaline, so don't apply it round ericacious plants such as rhodies, camellias, calluna, skimmias, and don't add it to your veg patch if it is already alakaline. If it is acidic then mushroom compost will help - most veggies prefer slightly alkaline soil.
They are conducting a little experiment with different named brands of seed compost - which performs the best. Will have to follow the programme over a few weeks to see the results though.
I have just got back from B&Q on a different mission-but noticed they are still selling the new Verve compost as 3 for £10 which people were buying by the shed load and also the same stuff in 125 litre bags.
In addition in125litre bags were last years peat based version which must make it 18 months old unless they have bought in new supplies-so either they are trying to clear old stock or have been taking note-who knows?
Posts
I will have to read that later gold1locks, when the kids are in bed.
I'd like to update my original post a little ;-
When I first started this thread my intention, a part from share my dissatisfaction, was to take this product back to the retail shop from which I purchased it from. I changed my mind and kept it. Yesterday, I spent some time in the back yard doing daft jobs like change the pots around and noticed that the pot which holds this RUBBISH , has gone all mouldy. The kind of white stringy mould/fungus you find on wet rotting pieces of timber. The only thing that springs to mind that thrives in conditions like these are mushrooms, not plants. It's only fit for one purpose, a further 6 months composting in my compost holder.
This product is not fit for the job its intended for. I'm sure there is some sort of consumer regulation regarding this matter - anyone complained to Watchdog yet - Anne would love this !!!
I wonder what the answer can possibly be.
i have had the same problem with all the named brands as well as unbranded names ,
the best one so far was bought from of all places the poundland £1 abag for 40ltrs i only got 1 just as a top up but to my surprise it was real good .
i asked at castle howard as to what the problem was i was informed eu regulations .
i can't repeat my answer to that .!!!!!!!
I bought a bag of seed compost from Pound stretcher and found a 2inch piece of glass in it. Fortunately I noticed it before breaking compost down with my hand.
I have had some good multi-purpose compost from Countrywide but it does have peat in it.
There's a place in the village next to me that sells mushroom compost by the bag. I was wondering if I could use that maybe mixed with some of my home grown stuff this year as all of you say that they are all the same, rubbish!
But I was not sure if this mushroom stuff would only be good for digging in the veg plot. Any ideas folks please?
Soil conditioner only really-not suitable for potting plants.
I thought as much. I remember back about 40 years ago, we put some on the veg patch because it was a new house and the clay soil was unworkable. Each morning we came out to pick some mushrooms to have in a fry up. It helped break down the lumps and I have not used it since. But with all this info on the shop bought stuff I just gave it a thought. I might dig some into the greenhouse soil and maybe get some mushrooms again! Not for a fry-up though as we are at that age where we watch our cholesterol!
Spent mushroom compost will have lost most of its fertilizing capability, but it will still have a lot of trace elements that are important for plant health, so it is a good mulch, and good for working in with the rest of your compost, and is also good as a soil conditioner as Sotongeoff says. Be careful where you apply it though. It is alkaline, so don't apply it round ericacious plants such as rhodies, camellias, calluna, skimmias, and don't add it to your veg patch if it is already alakaline. If it is acidic then mushroom compost will help - most veggies prefer slightly alkaline soil.
Anyone watched Beechgrove Garden on iplayer ?
They are conducting a little experiment with different named brands of seed compost - which performs the best. Will have to follow the programme over a few weeks to see the results though.
I have just got back from B&Q on a different mission-but noticed they are still selling the new Verve compost as 3 for £10 which people were buying by the shed load and also the same stuff in 125 litre bags.
In addition in125litre bags were last years peat based version which must make it 18 months old unless they have bought in new supplies-so either they are trying to clear old stock or have been taking note-who knows?