Cheers to all, apart from advice to hold sellers accountable I've picked up info on best brands, just sieving normal earth and compost, and making my own and incorporating worms in the process... all of which will be useful and I absolutely will try to get a worm compost bin going this year. It does seem like sieving is the sensible first step with all general purpose compost.
Edd, sorry if I posted on a topic that is well provided for - in fact I wrote that post a few weeks ago but when I came back the other day and was prompted to verify my account, this topic was automatically revived.
Welshonion, thanks for clarifying about the peat (incidentally it was an honest question, I don't claim to know!), and I have to admit that with such a gulf in quality the temptation to choose peat and stick with it is very great! But I'm encouraged by the above discussion of alternatives!
You must distinguish between garden compost (what you make in a heap at the bottom of the garden) and potting compost (what you put in pots to grow seedlings etc in).
Potting composts vary, but generally contain peat or a peat substitute like coir, sieved leaf-mould, vermiculite, sieved garden compost, loam, grit etc. The exact formulation varies with what you're using it for, but it should never conatin stones and bits of plastic! It's my ambition to have a series of large bins un der the greenhouse bench with a load of different components in so I can make up exactly the right mix when I want it. And when Ive discovered exactly how!
I must say, I've never had problems with any garden stuff I've bought from Aldi: their long-handled loppers in particular did sterling work in the pruning season,but I haven't tried their compost.
Jdve thank you ! John Inness is also very good for seeds and potting on and levintons is good but as I have said make your own you have full control what goes in it live the good life !
Posts
thanks for answers i'm going to hunt for a small compost bin.. not in the house Edd esp not with a curious toddler around!
Cheers to all, apart from advice to hold sellers accountable I've picked up info on best brands, just sieving normal earth and compost, and making my own and incorporating worms in the process... all of which will be useful and I absolutely will try to get a worm compost bin going this year.
It does seem like sieving is the sensible first step with all general purpose compost.
Edd, sorry if I posted on a topic that is well provided for - in fact I wrote that post a few weeks ago but when I came back the other day and was prompted to verify my account, this topic was automatically revived.
Welshonion, thanks for clarifying about the peat (incidentally it was an honest question, I don't claim to know!), and I have to admit that with such a gulf in quality the temptation to choose peat and stick with it is very great! But I'm encouraged by the above discussion of alternatives!
You must distinguish between garden compost (what you make in a heap at the bottom of the garden) and potting compost (what you put in pots to grow seedlings etc in).
Potting composts vary, but generally contain peat or a peat substitute like coir, sieved leaf-mould, vermiculite, sieved garden compost, loam, grit etc. The exact formulation varies with what you're using it for, but it should never conatin stones and bits of plastic! It's my ambition to have a series of large bins un der the greenhouse bench with a load of different components in so I can make up exactly the right mix when I want it. And when Ive discovered exactly how!
I must say, I've never had problems with any garden stuff I've bought from Aldi: their long-handled loppers in particular did sterling work in the pruning season,but I haven't tried their compost.
Jdve thank you ! John Inness is also very good for seeds and potting on and levintons is good but as I have said make your own you have full control what goes in it live the good life !