Best supplier of Compost 2015/2016

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

  1. Bilbo675

    Bilbo675 Total Gardener

    Joined:
    Mar 15, 2011
    Messages:
    4,495
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Gardener & Plant Sales
    Location:
    South Derbyshire
    Ratings:
    +6,654
    Picked up some more today, @Jenny namaste this is a photo of the bag :)

    Picture 182.jpg
     
    • Informative Informative x 3
    • Like Like x 1
    • shiney

      shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

      Joined:
      Jul 3, 2006
      Messages:
      63,870
      Gender:
      Male
      Occupation:
      Retired - Last Century!!!
      Location:
      Herts/Essex border. Zone 8b
      Ratings:
      +124,730
      [
      I've found that the new Wickes compost seems OK. There appears to be some small hard lumpy bits in it but not anything to be bothered about. Just bought another 350 litres and that seems OK too.
       
      • Informative Informative x 1
      • Phil A

        Phil A Guest

        Ratings:
        +0
        Staff note - Have merged "Finally found a decent compost" with "Best supplier of compost" :)
         
        • Like Like x 2
        • Agree Agree x 2
        • Kristen

          Kristen Under gardener

          Joined:
          Jul 22, 2006
          Messages:
          17,534
          Gender:
          Male
          Location:
          Suffolk, UK
          Ratings:
          +12,669
          For things that are only going to be in the compost for 6 - 8 weeks (seedlings being grown on for planting out) I wonder if it makes much difference? Clearly any brand that is absolute rubbish and has lousy water retention is going to be useless ... but I buy the cheapest "reasonably" quality that I can find, add 10% perlite, and feed from day one (dilute to start with). I would hate to pay twice as much for something that is only going to give me a modest improvement.

          I do grow a lot though ... so for anyone who only needs a couple of bags its unlikely to make any difference either whichway to the overall cost. On my 50 - 75 bags a year it mounts up though.

          I suppose I ought to get a bag or two of Sinclair's commercial compost (always seems dear to me, but does have nutrients in it, and is probably 100% peat ...) and compare the two next year.
           
        • HarryS

          HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

          Joined:
          Aug 28, 2010
          Messages:
          8,906
          Gender:
          Male
          Occupation:
          Retired
          Location:
          Wigan
          Ratings:
          +16,249
          Just bought hopefully my last bags of Clover MPC , from the nursery near my work £3.90 for 75 litres . I am 100% happy with Clover , so hopefully won't be looking at other brands......until they change the mix , and start adding bottle tops and cigarette ends !
           
          • Like Like x 2
          • shiney

            shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

            Joined:
            Jul 3, 2006
            Messages:
            63,870
            Gender:
            Male
            Occupation:
            Retired - Last Century!!!
            Location:
            Herts/Essex border. Zone 8b
            Ratings:
            +124,730
            I used to use that amount of compost but have cut it down considerably. We've stopped making lots of hanging baskets for people - just too much trouble for what we made out of it.

            As you say, the ordinary Wickes compost is fine for planting out later.
             
          • Spruce

            Spruce Glad to be back .....

            Joined:
            Apr 10, 2009
            Messages:
            8,785
            Gender:
            Male
            Ratings:
            +12,377
            Wickes over the BH are doing buy 3 get one free (4th free) on all the compost/soil and bark , ranging from £3.20 to £7.49 for the Westland 100Lt
            Also they had a advert for compost etc in the RHS "The Garden" Magazine " this month , which I though funny after the disaster last year
             
            • Like Like x 1
            • JWK

              JWK Gardener Staff Member

              Joined:
              Jun 3, 2008
              Messages:
              32,612
              Gender:
              Male
              Location:
              Surrey
              Ratings:
              +50,447
              Yes I noticed that too, and I have to say their new formula this year is vastly improved, as good as the old vintage stuff from yesteryear. All my seeds and seedlings are doing well in it.
               
              • Agree Agree x 1
              • Loofah

                Loofah Admin Staff Member

                Joined:
                Feb 20, 2008
                Messages:
                14,156
                Gender:
                Male
                Location:
                Guildford
                Ratings:
                +24,800
                Sticking to my Westland pro after Wickes let the side down so badly and had extreme arrogance over it. Might write in to the RHS too to provide a few highlights
                 
                • Informative Informative x 1
                • JackJJW

                  JackJJW Super Gardener

                  Joined:
                  Nov 6, 2013
                  Messages:
                  701
                  Gender:
                  Male
                  Occupation:
                  Community and Content Director
                  Location:
                  Clapham, London
                  Ratings:
                  +1,559
                  I've skimmed through most of this thread, sorry if this question is already covered: are there good online suppliers to deliver? I don't have a car, so buying compost and mulch has been my biggest issue.

                  I'm becoming really interested in composts though. I really don't like the idea of using peat so I've been trying to avoid it. I like John Innes a lot (though I know that includes some peat).


                  Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
                   
                • Spruce

                  Spruce Glad to be back .....

                  Joined:
                  Apr 10, 2009
                  Messages:
                  8,785
                  Gender:
                  Male
                  Ratings:
                  +12,377
                  Jack I had the same problem getting compost and used to get funny looks on the tube with a huge bag of compost and a cocker spaniel under my arm , the big stores do home delivery.
                   
                  • Like Like x 2
                  • Bilbo675

                    Bilbo675 Total Gardener

                    Joined:
                    Mar 15, 2011
                    Messages:
                    4,495
                    Gender:
                    Male
                    Occupation:
                    Gardener & Plant Sales
                    Location:
                    South Derbyshire
                    Ratings:
                    +6,654
                    This is still by far the best compost I've used, i use a lot of compost during a year and this has never let me down over the last 12 months :)
                     
                    • Useful Useful x 1
                    • Joolz

                      Joolz Gardener

                      Joined:
                      Jul 27, 2010
                      Messages:
                      470
                      Location:
                      Shropshire.
                      Ratings:
                      +884
                      Would anyone recommend the Clover MPC? My local garden nursery sells it for 4 70cl bags for £14.oo..
                       
                    • HarryS

                      HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

                      Joined:
                      Aug 28, 2010
                      Messages:
                      8,906
                      Gender:
                      Male
                      Occupation:
                      Retired
                      Location:
                      Wigan
                      Ratings:
                      +16,249
                      Clover is one of the best . Great price as well !
                       
                      • Like Like x 1
                      • JackJJW

                        JackJJW Super Gardener

                        Joined:
                        Nov 6, 2013
                        Messages:
                        701
                        Gender:
                        Male
                        Occupation:
                        Community and Content Director
                        Location:
                        Clapham, London
                        Ratings:
                        +1,559
                        Has anyone ever used the Homebase own MPC? It's two 60L bags for £8. I'm looking for some for summer pots and for adding to the main bed around dahlias.
                         
                      Loading...

                      Share This Page

                      1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
                        By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
                        Dismiss Notice