my seed compost looks and feels wrong - can someone help?

Discussion in 'Compost, Fertilisers & Recycling' started by Hannah's Rose Garden, Jan 8, 2013.

  1. Hannah's Rose Garden

    Hannah's Rose Garden Total Gardener

    Joined:
    Apr 17, 2012
    Messages:
    1,171
    Gender:
    Female
    Location:
    Cardiff
    Ratings:
    +1,410
    can someone spare a min? my seed compost looks and feels wrong, my novice alarm bells are ringing. its very lumpy with big fibrous bits in it and bits that look like vermiculate but arnt.

    should i return it and go with john innes no 1. (i am only used to value multipuropse so maybe thats the problem )
     
  2. gcc3663

    gcc3663 Knackered Grandad trying to keep up with a 4yr old

    Joined:
    May 6, 2011
    Messages:
    3,860
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    North Tyneside/South Northumberland
    Ratings:
    +1,663
    Are you sure the "bits that look like vermiculite but arn't" are not actually ant eggs!
    If so I personally would take it back - there's enough of the little B******* without helping them along!
     
    • Like Like x 2
    • mowgley

      mowgley Total Gardener

      Joined:
      Aug 16, 2005
      Messages:
      3,564
      Gender:
      Male
      Occupation:
      Wanna be gardener
      Location:
      Mansfield, Nottinghamshire
      Ratings:
      +6,627
      Seed compost should be of a gritty texture.
      I would return it as GCC says
       
      • Like Like x 1
      • Hannah's Rose Garden

        Hannah's Rose Garden Total Gardener

        Joined:
        Apr 17, 2012
        Messages:
        1,171
        Gender:
        Female
        Location:
        Cardiff
        Ratings:
        +1,410
        eww yuk. i will arrange for wilkos to collect it :( so it should be fine and gritty?
         
      • pete

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

        Joined:
        Jan 9, 2005
        Messages:
        51,027
        Gender:
        Male
        Occupation:
        Retired
        Location:
        Mid Kent
        Ratings:
        +93,703
        Does anyone actually buy "seed compost" these days.

        I've never used it, just use multi purpose all the time, sometimes add a bit of extra sand.:)
         
        • Like Like x 2
        • Freddy

          Freddy Miserable git, well known for it

          Joined:
          Jul 15, 2007
          Messages:
          9,466
          Gender:
          Male
          Occupation:
          Retired - yay!
          Location:
          Bristol
          Ratings:
          +12,518
          Yep, same here. I normally run it through a sieve:blue thumb:
           
        • Hannah's Rose Garden

          Hannah's Rose Garden Total Gardener

          Joined:
          Apr 17, 2012
          Messages:
          1,171
          Gender:
          Female
          Location:
          Cardiff
          Ratings:
          +1,410
          duh how thick am i? its called multi purpose coz it is multipurpose :doh:
           
        • Val..

          Val.. Confessed snail lover

          Joined:
          Aug 2, 2010
          Messages:
          6,355
          Gender:
          Female
          Occupation:
          Retired
          Location:
          Hay-on-Wye, Hereford
          Ratings:
          +4,951
          I think nearly all value multipurpose is like this. As Freddy says, just sieve it I'm sure it will be fine then. I think the other bits are water storage capsules a lot of multi purpose composts contain these now.
           
        • pete

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

          Joined:
          Jan 9, 2005
          Messages:
          51,027
          Gender:
          Male
          Occupation:
          Retired
          Location:
          Mid Kent
          Ratings:
          +93,703
          :rofllol:
           
          • Like Like x 3
          • Freddy

            Freddy Miserable git, well known for it

            Joined:
            Jul 15, 2007
            Messages:
            9,466
            Gender:
            Male
            Occupation:
            Retired - yay!
            Location:
            Bristol
            Ratings:
            +12,518
            I'm sure no pun was intended Pete:biggrin:
             
            • Like Like x 1
            • pete

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

              Joined:
              Jan 9, 2005
              Messages:
              51,027
              Gender:
              Male
              Occupation:
              Retired
              Location:
              Mid Kent
              Ratings:
              +93,703
              Sorry Val, couldn't resist.
               
              • Like Like x 2
              • Sheal

                Sheal Total Gardener

                Joined:
                Feb 2, 2011
                Messages:
                36,097
                Gender:
                Female
                Location:
                Dingwall, Ross-shire
                Ratings:
                +54,254
                Last year here on GC there were many complaints about the quality of multi-purpose compost from various outlets. CRG if you back track through the threads you will find them around last summer. Many had downgraded, which is why they were full of lumpy bits.

                The only exception I found was B & Q's new Verve, which seemed okay until I discovered they've reduced there screening. I repotted house plants with it and had to put up with soil gnats, the larvae of which is difficult to get rid of.
                 
                • Like Like x 1
                • clueless1

                  clueless1 member... yep, that's what I am:)

                  Joined:
                  Jan 8, 2008
                  Messages:
                  17,778
                  Gender:
                  Male
                  Location:
                  Here
                  Ratings:
                  +19,597
                  Last year I heard tales from a few different sources that councils were selling their 'sterilised' compost onto the the various names in compost. Nothing unusual there, except word is that it transpired that by 'sterilised' they meant that they'd washed it with a residual herbicide.
                   
                  • Like Like x 1
                  • pete

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

                    Joined:
                    Jan 9, 2005
                    Messages:
                    51,027
                    Gender:
                    Male
                    Occupation:
                    Retired
                    Location:
                    Mid Kent
                    Ratings:
                    +93,703
                    Not sure what you are saying clue, if its what I think it doesn't make any sense:scratch:
                    What was it intended for?
                     
                  • Loofah

                    Loofah Admin Staff Member

                    Joined:
                    Feb 20, 2008
                    Messages:
                    13,898
                    Gender:
                    Male
                    Location:
                    Guildford
                    Ratings:
                    +24,309
                    That's awful! Any sources for the info?
                     
                  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