Best Supplier Of Compost 2021

You coming with me to see the wildlife sanctuary at ... Chernobyl then Scrungee?

I reuse my Seed Sowing Compost. Its soil based, John Innes. Onve the seedligns have bene pricked out I tip the little seed trays into a bucket, and then when time to reuse it I get it damp-ish, create a bit of a reservoir of water in the bottom of Mrs K's favourite Pyrex bowl, put the seed compost on top, an upturned plate on top of that, stick it in the microwave on full power for 2 or 3 minutes (to get the water boiling) and then half-power for about 10 minutes. I love the earthy smell in the kitchen ...

Don't do that just before you need to use it, it will take ages to cool down to the point where it can be sown, and that residual heat is part of the sterilisation process. Seed compost doesn't need any fertiliser, but I do use a liquid feed once the plants are up and starting to grow ... but they get pricked out a 1st true leaf stage, so are barely in there long enough to need feeding at all.

Some risk that unknown seeds will survive that and germinate, but they jolly well should have germinated the first time I sowed them!

 

I asked some of my contacts and was told that, Bulrush pack for Coolings

 

Well it seems to be quite good stuff.
The appearance of the tomato plants, I did as a comparison, has still been going on until now when I'm planting out.
The plants are stockier, than the peat free ones which have come out quite leggy.
The Jack's Magic ones are a bit thin looking, but to be fair that compost had been hanging around for a good few months.
To be honest, I don't think there is a massive difference between them, other than, maybe feeding should start earlier with some.
Root systems appear to be pretty much identical.

 

I presume that is not to say that if you buy Bulrush compost you would be getting exactly the same material as what is in the Coolings bags?

Or do you think the Coolings setup is probably too small to actually warrant its own special mix and has the usual Bulrush mixture put into their own bags.

 

It all depends on the numbers. Own label can be, the manufacturers own mix or the customers own special mix. I am a very very small manufacturer so doing special mixes is right up my street. However if they are wanting their own label then the customer will need to move the numbers as they will have to pay for the art work and printing plate for the packaging, plus the packaging firm will have a minimum quantity.

Own label was more popular in the past, it was an ideal way of advertising your business, but those were the days of small independent companies. The big companies nowadays are geared up for volumes and its the same for packaging as they have a minimum quantity order.

I tend to do special mixes for the commercial and semi professional grower, it basically gets packed in my packaging and we just put printed pallet labels on the side of the pallet stating what the mix is. As this is for their own use, then it doesn't really matter what's on the packaging. Our supplier of bags tend to contact us if there has been a mishap as I can use up misprinted packaging when its going to the commercial grower, they are not interested in the packaging, its what's inside matters.

 

Read somewhere the other day that Bord na Mona still had stacks of extracted peat. Wonder what will happen to these, will they be burnt like happens with confiscated poached ivory?

 

Peat is supplied in fractions. For mpc we get fraction 1 peat which has been through a 0-10mm screen. Ideal for seeds and potting on in small pots, but to fine, (my personal view) for larger pots 2 litre plus and containers.

We do a peat base, seed & cutting compost using fraction 0 peat which is 0-5mm which we mix in some silver sand and vermiculite. Our peat based potting compost is a more open mix, we use fraction 1 peat and fraction 2 peat (0-25mm) with added bark and coarse grit.

For all our peat based composts we use Yara fertiliser's and dolomite lime, we also incorporate Osmocote for the commercial growers. For loam based composts we use Vitax Q4 or John innes base and dolomite lime, for the growing for showing we use calcified seaweed instead of dolomite lime.

 

Earlier in the season I ordered a bulk bag of soil improver.
I ended up waiting more than two weeks for it.
I think part of the reason was there was an option to pay extra for next day delivery.
My guess is they were obviously giving them priority.
I even e mailed them and got no reply.

 

@HarryS, where do you buy your Jacks Magic ?

 

HarryS May know of somewhere cheaper or more convenient, but Wickes are selling 4 x 50L bags for £20 Jacks Magic All Purpose Compost 50L | Wickes.co.uk

There are 1,231 in stock at their Wigan store.

 

Hello Cordy
Scrungee has given the best price for JM from Wickes. You can pull right up to the front door to load it up. I get mine from Golden Days in Appley Bridge, it's just up the road from me.

 

@HarryS I didn't want to 'tread on your toes' with my post about Wickes, as there are so many considerations other than just price these days, and some/many times I'll now happily pay more for a safer, more pleasant shopping experience.

How much do Golden Days charge? My nearest garden centre (Blue Diamond) charge £6/50L, but Mole Valley Farmers (another down South place) charge 3 x 50L for £15.