i did use j arthurs but foundi got loads of weeds and things growing it in.. i now use westlands and it is fine.. i store mine in a black dustbin and when i open it i can spell the sterilization of it.. no weeds etc in this one.. i have not found it dries out quick thou i water every evening and morning.. so maybe that why.
for my toms etc in greenhouse they are sat in seed tray with no holes and kept topped up so they never run out.. i also like annie5 put all used compost on the garden or in the compostor..
@slaphead08.. wish our Asda was alrady built.. i love the place and would greatly appreciate taht offer.. as i have westlands best for value and planting this year.. thou i do go and buy some from our local tip..they recycle our waste and then sell it.. bit dearer but very good.. used it for the veg plot and added to pots of perennial plants this year.. i also give them a seaweed feed through the summer as they need a little extra..
Trouble with Asda is that it is now wholly owned by the huge American company, Wallmart - who treat their emplyees and suppliers dreadfully - so they went with Nestle and Dole into my little black book of no-no's. However, this is not rthe forum for that rant. Regarding composts, all have been far poorer than of old, some B&Q rather better than some - I got some of last years stuff and that was OK. Their version of John Innes was OK, but their specialised orchid compost is nothing like any orchod compost I have seen before - just dark dusty stuff, none of the lumps and bumps orchid compost usually has. For weight in pots and baskets this year I have used JI No1 half half with multi purpose - worked well so far. Mind, with all the rain we had earlier, watering ifn the earlier stages was much easier! Have noticed some lightweight composts about, not tried yet but maybe will for some pots, mixed with loam based - must be better to carry home at any rate.
Usually going for the cheapest, I've tried four different one's this year as the first batch was rubbish.
Lidl's compost initally seemed good, very black, smelled ok, well rotted down and had very little if any debris in it. Potted plants- veg and flowers- have done well and it's held water. After a few weeks though when the remaining opened bag was used, although sealed at the top with pegs there was a strong smell of amonia, made a mental note if using Lidl compost to use it ASAP.
No complaints with Murphy's compost, used 3 bags. Slightly more expensive than what I would spend but bought 3 for the price of 2.
Greenline from Aldi-usually very reliable was ok, did have woody bits in and some plastic but on balance would purchase it again.
I mixed bought compost though with home made compost, (until it ran out) and added FBB or growmore depending on what was going in the pot. Also added perlite into the mix to retain water and pots have had seaweed added as a mulch.
Zoomer I like you have used aldi's compost this year after being very disappointed with b&q's quality last year. I did find a small woody bits & a little plastic but on the whole a very good compost. The seedlings I have been growing this year have done surprisingly well considering its price ??1.99!
So will try aldi's compost again next year unless I find a better alternative at a reasonable price.
just seen an advert that Wickes have reduced their 70L bags by half to £1.99-if it can be stored in a dry place it should be ok for next year-that is what they are likely to do- and charge full price next spring in any case.
It got a lot of poor reviews on its site and elsewhere-they changed the formulation this year-I found it ok for containers-that is why I say-judgement call
I have been using Wickes multi-purpose compost 3 x 70 litre bags for £10 for three years now and have never had a problem with it for growing on seedlings and plants.I put it through a rotasieve and mix it with some perlite for sowing seeds. When using it in large outdoor planters I mix it half and half with John Innes No 3 to give it extra weight and substance.
All used compost is recycled into my garden beds and raised vegetable beds usually as a mulch, which helps to improve the soil.
Posts
i did use j arthurs but foundi got loads of weeds and things growing it in.. i now use westlands and it is fine.. i store mine in a black dustbin and when i open it i can spell the sterilization of it.. no weeds etc in this one.. i have not found it dries out quick thou i water every evening and morning.. so maybe that why.
for my toms etc in greenhouse they are sat in seed tray with no holes and kept topped up so they never run out.. i also like annie5 put all used compost on the garden or in the compostor..
@slaphead08.. wish our Asda was alrady built.. i love the place and would greatly appreciate taht offer.. as i have westlands best for value and planting this year.. thou i do go and buy some from our local tip..they recycle our waste and then sell it.. bit dearer but very good.. used it for the veg plot and added to pots of perennial plants this year.. i also give them a seaweed feed through the summer as they need a little extra..
Trouble with Asda is that it is now wholly owned by the huge American company, Wallmart - who treat their emplyees and suppliers dreadfully - so they went with Nestle and Dole into my little black book of no-no's. However, this is not rthe forum for that rant. Regarding composts, all have been far poorer than of old, some B&Q rather better than some - I got some of last years stuff and that was OK. Their version of John Innes was OK, but their specialised orchid compost is nothing like any orchod compost I have seen before - just dark dusty stuff, none of the lumps and bumps orchid compost usually has. For weight in pots and baskets this year I have used JI No1 half half with multi purpose - worked well so far. Mind, with all the rain we had earlier, watering ifn the earlier stages was much easier! Have noticed some lightweight composts about, not tried yet but maybe will for some pots, mixed with loam based - must be better to carry home at any rate.
Annie5, you misunderstood me. I just posted the link to the larger thread about composts. I have never used B&Q compost, so can't comment on that one.
Usually going for the cheapest, I've tried four different one's this year as the first batch was rubbish.
Lidl's compost initally seemed good, very black, smelled ok, well rotted down and had very little if any debris in it. Potted plants- veg and flowers- have done well and it's held water. After a few weeks though when the remaining opened bag was used, although sealed at the top with pegs there was a strong smell of amonia, made a mental note if using Lidl compost to use it ASAP.
No complaints with Murphy's compost, used 3 bags. Slightly more expensive than what I would spend but bought 3 for the price of 2.
Greenline from Aldi-usually very reliable was ok, did have woody bits in and some plastic but on balance would purchase it again.
I mixed bought compost though with home made compost, (until it ran out) and added FBB or growmore depending on what was going in the pot. Also added perlite into the mix to retain water and pots have had seaweed added as a mulch.
So will try aldi's compost again next year unless I find a better alternative at a reasonable price.
: ) Jem
As this is the latest thread on compost-
just seen an advert that Wickes have reduced their 70L bags by half to £1.99-if it can be stored in a dry place it should be ok for next year-that is what they are likely to do- and charge full price next spring in any case.
So it is a judgement call
Got Wicks compost this year good value but dissapointed with quality dries out very quickly, seems lacking in nutrients.
It got a lot of poor reviews on its site and elsewhere-they changed the formulation this year-I found it ok for containers-that is why I say-judgement call
I have been using Wickes multi-purpose compost 3 x 70 litre bags for £10 for three years now and have never had a problem with it for growing on seedlings and plants.I put it through a rotasieve and mix it with some perlite for sowing seeds. When using it in large outdoor planters I mix it half and half with John Innes No 3 to give it extra weight and substance.
All used compost is recycled into my garden beds and raised vegetable beds usually as a mulch, which helps to improve the soil.