Best supplier of Compost 2015/2016

Discussion in 'Compost, Fertilisers & Recycling' started by Marley Farley, Jan 4, 2014.

  1. Scrungee

    Scrungee Well known for it

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    Going to try it? (I've completely boycotted Wickes since their compost change shambles). I see it's "no green waste" and "Now suitable for seeding", but does "Improved water retention" mean it's full of wood splinters? (like it did last time).

    wickesnewcompost.jpg


    Due to the variability of MPC that's what I do, use a decent seed compost (except for beans, peas, sunflowers, etc.) then use cheapish MPC. I used Westland Gro-Sure seed & cutting compost last year and was happy with the quality & results, so that's what I'm using again this year.

    Wilkos are selling it at 2 x 20L bags for £4 http://www.wilko.com/compost composters/surestart-seed cutting-compost-20ltr/invt/0301376?VBMST=westland gro-sure @Sheal - do you have Wilkos on the IoM?

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    • Sheal

      Sheal Total Gardener

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      Yes Scrungee we do have Wilko's and I'll have a look for the gro-Sure there when I visit. Unfortunately it's twenty miles away so I don't go there very often and I can't guarantee they'll supply it. Their gardening section here is not very good and they don't make plants available to us, bulbs are in small numbers.

      We don't have Wickes here, so that would be a non-starter anyway.
       
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      • Loofah

        Loofah Admin Staff Member

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        Went to Wickes this week for a few things and saw the compost outside. it doesn't look too bad this year and currently at £3/bag .

        Westland have a new professional potting compost out though so I'm trying that
         
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        • HarryS

          HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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          Has anyone else tried the Wickes MPC , this year ?
           
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          • JazzSi

            JazzSi Super Gardener

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            Just got some Homebase MPC , seems very good , 20% off this weekend.
             
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            • sumbody

              sumbody Gardener

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              I am unable to drive at the moment due to (more) surgery - my son went to B & Q for me - I spoke to one of their staff - said I want ordinary Verve Multi Compost - when it got here it was Peat Free (still the same price 3 for £12) - unhappy with it tbh - seems full of pine-needles - no good for seedlings - got 6 bags of it !!!. I won't be returning it (well I won't be asking my son to return it) - will be OK to mix in for larger pots - but nothing else.

              DSCF8921.JPG

              S.
               
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              • shiney

                shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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              • Bilbo675

                Bilbo675 Total Gardener

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                Not tried it Shiney and wasn't going to after the last couple of years but if its supposed to have been changed again it might be worth picking up a bag at that price to have a nosey :)
                 
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                • JWK

                  JWK Gardener Staff Member

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                  I will have to check out new Wickes formulation too, it sounds better, my highlight below:

                   
                • JWK

                  JWK Gardener Staff Member

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                  Just bought a bag of this to try. It looks good, like the old formulation a couple of years ago. No nasty twiggy bits either. It says it's now suitable for seeding, and it does look like it is. I've just started some Manx Marvel tomato seeds in it, alongside some John Innes I already had as a trial:

                  20140328-P3280031.jpg

                  20140328-P3280032.jpg

                  20140328-P3280048.jpg
                   
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                  • Sheal

                    Sheal Total Gardener

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                    That does look good John, unfortunately we don't have Wickes here. :doh:
                     
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                    • HarryS

                      HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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                      Looks like Wickes MPC is back on track :dbgrtmb: I presume the secret is not to get old stock , possibly the " free from green waste " on the package is the thing to look out for.
                       
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                      • JWK

                        JWK Gardener Staff Member

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                        It also says "Now Suitable For Seeding".

                        There was no old stock in the Wickes I called into, I would have bought some if it's being heavily discounted just as a soil conditioner.
                         
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                        • shiney

                          shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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                          According to the website, the new product and the old are both being sold at £3.
                           
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                          • Bilbo675

                            Bilbo675 Total Gardener

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                            Bought a bag too and agree its a vast improvement on the last couple of years but not quite as fine and crumbly as the original MPC from 3 years ago, however well done Wickes for presumably listening to the negative feedback they've had for it over the last couple of years :dbgrtmb:
                             
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