Wickes compost 27% off till monday £3 per 70 litre bag

Is it any good.

 

After avoiding it for many years after they adversley changed the formula, I used it in potato pots last year and despite soaking them every day, the plants would still collapse every day, and the constant drying out caused them all to be affected by scab. I'm avoiding it again this year and yet again for another very long time indeed.

 

Peat doesn't dry out quickly in my experience.
Infact I tend to think that is the biggest problem with most peat free composts.

Passed some cheap stuff in Morrisons yesterday, then some more in B&Q this morning, I tend to steer clear these days after buying a load of "bargain" Richmore compost a few years ago.
Nothing ever grew in it, just sat there not dying but not growing, learnt a lesson that year.

 

This seasons Wickes MPC is different for sure to lasts up here in Scotland. It looks as tho it's got a lot less peat than the older stuff. I am not impressed as it's more black(dyed?) than dark brown and has a very odd texture. It resembles the free "compost" I can get (don't!) from a recycling depot. Pretty sure it has some kind of recycled clothing type material in it. It's very very soft and fluffy and I won't be buying it again.
Luckily I have huge amounts of leaf mould so will be mixing that into the Wickes MPC. Not impressed at all. Glad I only bought 4 bags of it.

 

Dont need any compost right now but appreciate the above reviews of the Wickes stuff.

If we were all to be a lot more vocal about being sold rubbish composts maybe they would get their act together and start selling a product that is worthy of their Brands?

 

I've heard nothing but negatives about their MPC and nothing but plaudits for their top soil. After putting 100 litres of the latter in our new flower beds, I hope we're not the ones who buck the trend.

 

I saw this free compost when I was dropping off some bits and bobs at the local tip. The tip attendant told me that he took a load for his allotment - but that plants refused to grow in it.

What is your experience of using this compost? Should I steer clear and stick with the bagged compost?

Ta

 

The problem with it is it depends on what has gone into making the compost. IE it might be ok if the residents in the area have been good at putting only suitable stuff in their green bins but it will vary enormously.
I got a couple of bags a few years ago, dreadful,it looked more like the residue of a fire than compost. When I picked up the couple of bags the main green waste I saw being put into a huge container for composting was Leylandi prunings I never use any type of conifer prunings on my own compost heap. I was told the farmers in this part of the world refuse to take it. That says volumes as it's free!!!!

 

That was my impression as well of the Wickes compost I bought . I'll stick to Jacks Magic , as I don't use huge amounts of the stuff.

 

If I could get hold of Council compost for free I think I'd get some, I dont think it is intended as potting compost, more for adding to soil around the garden.
The word "compost" is the confusing part, as far as I know it is just rotted down garden waste, which I dont have a problem with.
If it was for potting it would need to have fertiliser added and the ph would need to be adjusted.

I once work at a place where the stuff was brought in for rotting down, not round my area, the heaps were pretty enormous, and the heat was something else.

I've never seen it available here, if it is the council will probably know how to charge for it.