Messed up the compost

stamford

angie_loves_veg wrote:

I am nearly all geared up for the seed sowing season (early march it starts - hurrah! my favourite time of year!), but need to get in lots of fresh seed compost.

Have you spotted any good prices or offers?

thanks in anticipation.......

Lidl 20 litres £0.99
Asda 35 Litres £2.24

Trishh_2

I've always just used some multi purpose compost and it hasn't failed so far. I know they say to use seed compost coz it's finer etc ... but my plants are proof that it's not always neccessary

tattooedhoney

angie_loves_veg wrote:

Thanks tatooedhoney- the aldi tip is a good'un. How many Litres did you get for 99p?

I am looking specifically for seed (and potting) compost offers, soil improver / multi purpose compost etc is too rich and dense for seeds and seedlings.

20 litres for the seed/ potting compost - stopped myself buying the seedling trays as I have now learnt to make those paperpots ( thanks to the MSE chat boards) :j

Sid's_a_gardener

stamford wrote:

Lidl 20 litres £0.99
Asda 35 Litres £2.24

I live in the Tyne & Wear area, our local garden center sells multi-purpose compost in 70ltr bags for about £3-50, or 3 bags for £10-00. Worth having a look around your neck of the woods.:j

Lord_Gardener

angie_loves_veg wrote:

I am nearly all geared up for the seed sowing season (early march it starts - hurrah! my favourite time of year!), but need to get in lots of fresh seed compost.

Have you spotted any good prices or offers?

thanks in anticipation.......

Get some coarse sand and perlite and mix 1/3 compost, 1/3 perlite and 1/3 coarse sand! The important thing with seed compost is for it to be very low in nutrients (the seeds have their own food source!) and have plenty of air and just enough moisture! Using multipurpose compost may cause the seedlings to be too vigorous initially producing a much weaker plant!

Kazonline

Lord_Gardener wrote:

The important thing with seed compost is for it to be very low in nutrients (the seeds have their own food source!)

Would the 'used' compost left in tubs from growing last years tomatoes be good for this? (they showed no signs of blight) IF so should I still mix it as described?
Also I've never heared of perlite... could you tell me anything about it please?
Kaz x

Emmysmum_2

Always sterilise used compost first! Do this by spreading thinly in a shallow baking tray and baking at 170 or gas mark 3 for 2 hours. you can add as many trays as will fit in the oven

Kazonline

Hmmm... found this information on perlite - great, natural stuff. Now I have to find where to buy....
Kaz x

angie_loves_veg

Kazonline wrote:

Hmmm... found this information on perlite - great, natural stuff. Now I have to find where to buy....
Kaz x

garden centres will, but in the past I have picked it up from Wilkinsons fairly cheaply.

(gosh, what a lot of detailed information about perlite!)

teapot2

Emmysmum wrote:

Always sterilise used compost first! Do this by spreading thinly in a shallow baking tray and baking at 170 or gas mark 3 for 2 hours. you can add as many trays as will fit in the oven

On another thread someone mentioned you can also Zap the soil in the microwave! Not tried it myself though.....