Isn't any peat in compost an environmental no-no?

£6.99 for 60 ltrs.
I've used Jack's Magic for at least the last 5 yrs and never had a problem.

You can't believe everything you read or are told, we all have different ways of feeding and watering, it's more about what works for you.

I recall in other threads people saying the likes of B&Q compost varies from year to year.
People even buy from Wickes, basically a builders merchant.

Why are you bashing your head against the wall?
It s not necessary.

 

I have posted this before, but here goes, I use a mixture of my own compost, J.I No.1 and Coir for seeds and add a little feed for potting on, never had any problems.
I do have lots of plastic pots which are re-used, I also use Coffee pots from KFC & McDonalds for starting off Runners. Should add, with care these last years.

 

My personal experience of B&Q compost is that for a price of £8.95 for a massive 125 ltr bag I'm not expecting miracles.
However it does germinate seedlings very well.
I've had virtually 100% success with seeds.
BUT, it does no good for onward growth soon losing it's varied nutrients. I've tried it with hanging baskets but i always apply slow release granules to the pot.. John innes no3 has been in short supply of late which has narrowed the options too.

 

I think you have hit the nail on the head when comparing like to like, you tend to mostly get what you pay for.
Still lots of JI around here.

 

Until the quality and price of peat free compost is as good or better than peat base compost I'll continue to use Peat base compost. One member mentioned £9 for 30 litres I normally buy my compost at 200L for £10 or £11 its doesn't make an sense buying a product I deem not as good and at a vastly greater price I am not made of money ( unfortunately ).

The day Ireland stop extracting peat for mainly powering power stations will probably be the day I stop using peat based compost , unless they make a better product peat free and at a good price which I think is unlikely .

 

@Redwing I've been a member of Gardeners Corner for a good few years now and believe, considering the size of the forum's membership, that our Admin members do a fine job in maintaining all aspects of it. More recently @ARMANDII and @Fat Controller are mostly to the fore in keeping it up and running. Both male yes, is that a problem? You must take into consideration it is not easy to find other long term members (male or female) that have the right credentials that their positions require and believe me they could do with extra help! You may remember that some years back there were female admin members as well, but there comes a time when we all need to retire from certain aspects of our lives through age or health issues and this is what has occurred. Armandii and Fat Controller aren't exempt from this as you may know and they both have lives outside the forum too. So please have respect for the job they do under the circumstances, it's not easy!

Redwing you may think they insult other members but do they? Yes, sometimes they may get a little heated when responding to members who are out of order, but I think at times it's necessary to get their point across when those members close their ears to what they are being told. The same applies to what you say are "long overbearing critical posts", basically explaining the situation in more depth. Finally, posts of your own often come across as patronising or insulting, so I will leave you to think on that!

 

Well yes we do hear this kind thing, but I can honestly say over, the years,I can only remember buying one type of compost that nothing would grow in .
It was at a knockdown price piled up outside a pet food store.
Richmoor was the name and nothing would grow in it.

I'm guessing all must vary from year to year, but as long as it has a reasonably consistent water holding capacity, I can always feed earlier or later.
But then I always alter the water holding capacity any way by adding sand etc.
Bear in mind you can grow plants in rock wool

 

I have used Jacks Magic in the past but found cuttings and seedlings didn't grow well. I also found it had a tendency to set quite hard in pots. This year I have used Miracle Gro all purpose compost and have had the same results with lack of growth. Next year I'll go back to B&Q's Verve.

 

I’ve got to agree Verve does one thing really well and that's germinate seeds.
I've grown literally hundreds of plants this year and the much dissed B&Q offering always gives me success. It doesn't dry out, and it drains well too so you can only speak as you find.
Trust me, if it didn't sprout my seeds I'd be venomously slating it lol.
I don't like wasting seeds or time..