peatfree compost

Discussion in 'Compost, Fertilisers & Recycling' started by glenj, Mar 21, 2024.

  1. Nel_Staffs

    Nel_Staffs Gardener

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    I know @fairygirl . :sad:
    Such a shame as it is such good quality .
    I'm lucky enough to have two stockists within a 20 minutes drive, I'd never have heard of it otherwise.
     
  2. fairygirl

    fairygirl Total Gardener

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    I'm not that bothered. I think it also depends on what you grow as to how good or bad some of the composts are. I re use previous year's spent compost for seed sowing, and use collected soil to add to any bought compost. I make compost, but I have large pots for the annual climbers, and it's not always enough, or it isn't always ready early enough to use.
    The peat free stuff I've had, has been ok for mixing with other things, but I know many people have found it really poor, and I expect the high demand during the Covid period, due to 'new' gardeners, meant a lot of stuff was for sale when it probably shouldn't have been.
     
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    • LunarSea

      LunarSea Front Garden Curator

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      Are you sure it was peat free? I can find their MPC with reduced peat but they don't seem to list a peat-free one currently.
       
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      • Fat Controller

        Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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        Oddly, I think Wickes is going to win my order as Compost Centre can't deliver for 8-9 weeks
         
      • Fat Controller

        Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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        • amancalledgeorge

          amancalledgeorge Super Gardener

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        • amancalledgeorge

          amancalledgeorge Super Gardener

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          As for Melcourt products check with any National Trust garden centres if you have any nearby as they seem to carry it around the UK.
           
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          • waterbut

            waterbut Gardener

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            Read and tried with great success. Mix ratio of 5 parts general compost with 1 part garden centre bag of manure or ANO manure and some perilite if you can be bothered.
            John Innes No1 for seedlings or any compost bag that has the word seedling on it. I have even read about people who scatter their seeds over perilite with no additives.
             
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            • glenj

              glenj Apprentice Gardener

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              Thanks for the replies,very unsure whether to use the compost for the dozens more seedlings i need to transplant,i m not sure if i mixed some horticultural grit(perlite to dear)with the levingtons this would help,it did seem very"clammy" for want of a better word and not that open,or maybe that made no difference it was the stuff they put in it is the problem.
               
            • glenj

              glenj Apprentice Gardener

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              Hi,thanks for reply,i read the bags carefully before purchase and it said ideal for seedlings etc,it is added john innes not a specific john innes brand.
               
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              • LunarSea

                LunarSea Front Garden Curator

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                Aha ..... couldn't find that anywhere else. Thanks. I used to use the original Jack's Magic so I was looking if they did a peat-free one. Once a big brand takes over though I think they use any of the former names at will. Westland took over New Horizon and that one is also described as "Naturally Peat Free". Homebase stock Westland composts but their Jack's Magic is only 'peat-reduced'.
                 
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                • Bluejayway

                  Bluejayway Plantaholic

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                  The Sylvagrow peat-free has been favourite with me lately too.
                   
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                  • glenj

                    glenj Apprentice Gardener

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                    Thanks for the reply,no conservatory is west facing and it hasn t been that warm until last few days,as mentioned i ve already transplanted one batch in peat compost(bord da mona)with some old perlite i had left over and they are thriving,the batch in the peat free levingtons mpc never showed any scorch marks or to much or little water,when i finally discarded them yesterday it was more stem rot at the base and they were very healthy seedlings and same variety as the ones doing well.
                     
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                    • amancalledgeorge

                      amancalledgeorge Super Gardener

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                      Here's last year's Jack's Magic that doesn't mention the actual level of peat but it still had some. Hope the peat free version is as nice to grow pelargoniums with.
                      PXL_20240321_140759132.jpg PXL_20240321_140929950.jpg
                       
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                      • pete

                        pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                        Agree @amancalledgeorge , I have some of that. It still contain some peat.

                        I've bought peat (pete) free in the past and they still make me pay for it.
                        Maybe I should complain to trading standards.:biggrin:
                         
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