My tommies are still tiny too, I'll put that down to the weather more than anything else though. Last year I used Verve but it was terrible, full of uncomposted lumps and twigs and really not suitable for anything other than mulch. I was visiting my parents a few weeks ago and doing some gardening for them, the only compost they had was a new bag of Verve, I expected it to be as bad as last year but I must say it was excellent. I've only used the 125lts bags since, and even sown all of my seeds directly in to it without having to sieve and all of my seeds have grown away very well. I wouldn't be surprised if the compost quality is different in other areas of the UK though.
I've had 4 of the largest bags of Verve multi, 2 fine 2 had loads of lumps, dry stick bits etc. We always buy unfaded bags, hoping the stuff is fresh in. No consistency. Seed & cutting bag was ok.
Jacks Magic traditional blend all purpose compost is really good, it's better than the verve seedlings and cutting compost that is ok, both worked to germinate seedlings, but Jacks Magic feels crumblier and works out cheaper
Nanny gardener ---My runner beans were planted in 3 inch pots of levington m3 last bank hol monday. They were up within 7 days . I hardened them off last week and planted them in the ground on Monday this week. they're now beginning to climb.
You still have time to try again, but I'd get fresh compost and beans.
reading through this thread it sounds like the only thing that can rival peat is home garden compost so I better find a way to heat up my slow heap for next year as this year it germinated more seed than I had sown!
After the comments on here and other forums this must be the worst year ever for rubbish compost. Someone has made a real killing by making this rubbish and conning british gardeners. My worst experience has been with B&Qs Verve, I have lost countless seedlings because nothing will grow in it,I have been gardening for 50 years and have never seen such poor quality compost before.B&Q should be ashamed of themselves for selling this rubbish as multi-purpose compost.
is there anyone who grows fuchsias i have grown fuchsia for meny years the compost today is rubbish can anyone put me on to a good one for fuchsia. is there anyone who mixes there 0wn
Finally checked the runner bean pots today...absolutely no sign of seeds at all. Mystery! One pot alone had the remains of a seed which was soggy. I shall try again - in different compost of course - and if these do not grow it will be buying ready grown plants which will be rather annoying.
If there is no sign of seed they may have been eaten by mice. I have to use mousetraps in the greenhouse or I will lose anything pea or bean based. They even cached all the onion seed in one corner of a tray last year. Using propagator covers helps to keep them about but you have to make sure they're a tight fit.
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My tommies are still tiny too, I'll put that down to the weather more than anything else though. Last year I used Verve but it was terrible, full of uncomposted lumps and twigs and really not suitable for anything other than mulch. I was visiting my parents a few weeks ago and doing some gardening for them, the only compost they had was a new bag of Verve, I expected it to be as bad as last year but I must say it was excellent. I've only used the 125lts bags since, and even sown all of my seeds directly in to it without having to sieve and all of my seeds have grown away very well. I wouldn't be surprised if the compost quality is different in other areas of the UK though.
I've had 4 of the largest bags of Verve multi, 2 fine 2 had loads of lumps, dry stick bits etc. We always buy unfaded bags, hoping the stuff is fresh in. No consistency. Seed & cutting bag was ok.
Honestly! what is a gardener to do??? Well at least it gives us all something to conflab about
Jacks Magic traditional blend all purpose compost is really good, it's better than the verve seedlings and cutting compost that is ok, both worked to germinate seedlings, but Jacks Magic feels crumblier and works out cheaper
Nanny gardener ---My runner beans were planted in 3 inch pots of levington m3 last bank hol monday. They were up within 7 days . I hardened them off last week and planted them in the ground on Monday this week. they're now beginning to climb.
You still have time to try again, but I'd get fresh compost and beans.
reading through this thread it sounds like the only thing that can rival peat is home garden compost so I better find a way to heat up my slow heap for next year as this year it germinated more seed than I had sown!
After the comments on here and other forums this must be the worst year ever for rubbish compost. Someone has made a real killing by making this rubbish and conning british gardeners. My worst experience has been with B&Qs Verve, I have lost countless seedlings because nothing will grow in it,I have been gardening for 50 years and have never seen such poor quality compost before.B&Q should be ashamed of themselves for selling this rubbish as multi-purpose compost.
is there anyone who grows fuchsias i have grown fuchsia for meny years the compost today is rubbish can anyone put me on to a good one for fuchsia. is there anyone who mixes there 0wn
Finally checked the runner bean pots today...absolutely no sign of seeds at all. Mystery! One pot alone had the remains of a seed which was soggy. I shall try again - in different compost of course - and if these do not grow it will be buying ready grown plants which will be rather annoying.
If there is no sign of seed they may have been eaten by mice. I have to use mousetraps in the greenhouse or I will lose anything pea or bean based. They even cached all the onion seed in one corner of a tray last year. Using propagator covers helps to keep them about but you have to make sure they're a tight fit.