Best supplier of compost 2025

I'm sure you're right! Given the price of seeds now, though, it's worth it for an increased success rate

 

Multipurpose compost the hint is in the name.
If the manufacturers don't recommend it for seed sowing then they can't call it MPC,can they?.

 

Picky

 

I know what you mean, but they would probably argue that it's suitable for potting on, hanging baskets, tubs, and planters, so that gives it more than purpose. I'm not defending them just quoting what I've read recently.

 

Meant to say before, another disadvantage of buying seed compost is that it tends to be in smaller quantities and therefore relatively more expensive. I have another way round all this: I prefer to sow seeds in wide shallow pots rather than seed trays. I can fit more in the propagator, it gives a greater depth for the roots, and doesn't dry out so fast. You can put almost any old (or new) compost in the bottom of the pot and just put the seed blend in the top inch or so. They get a good start, there's more for them to grow into especially if you don't have time to prick on immediately.
Probably too much faff if you sow a lot of seed but I usually only want a few plants of anything, never more than 10 or a dozen plants, no room for any more on the ornamental side. Even things like toms , courgettes, squash etc. The only exceptions for me are peas and beans which I tend to start in root trainers.

 

Where do you buy your peat MPC please @shiney

 

I stopped sowing in seed trays when I stopped growing masses of bedding plants, I used to grow tray and trays of them back in the 70s and 80s.

 

I don’t think I’ve ever used seed compost, when I did buy compost Ijust went for MP. Am not convinced it makes much difference, maybe for some seeds. Bit like granulated and caster sugar are equally interchangeable 90% of the time.

I’ve also never got into the habit of mixing up a formula of compost, perlite, leaf mould etc etc I don’t remember my Nana or Mum doing so and for many years I couldn’t have afforded too so I’ve never got into the habit. Maybe I would get better germination rates if a I did but I (think I) do pretty well. Most of my failures are when I try things which really need more coddling. (base heat, early warmth etc) than I can offer.

 

I just brought a bag of the below from the nearest Poundland. The structure of compost is fine.
Just wondering what is it made of? (not saying on the bag, but made in Ireland) Please magic happen, I want it be peat .

 

I found a really nice peat based compost today.
It is so pleasant to work with ,no lumps or sticks ,just fine and friable.
I can’t get on with peat free it’s so unreliable
It’s ok for the TV gardeners as they mix it with loads of perlite ,leaf mould garden compost and a different mix for different plants.
So doesn’t work for me.
Of course it remains to be seen if it is as good as it seems.
I have always been a Jacks Magic fan ,but as others have said it is not as Magic as it was.

 

There should be a list of ingredients somewhere on the back of the sack. Isn't it obligatory? Watch out for euphemisms like 'composted vegetable matter '