Quick! Recommend me a seed compost!

[smallblueplanet]

Well something is wrong with our sown seeds. We've had almost zero germination rate. I went and looked through the modules that had sunflower seeds in them, figuring they should be big enough to see and there's no sign of them. So we used 'fresh' Miracle Grow multipurpose, as we've often used multipurpose before, but I think this time it might be an issue. I think with lots of the peat free composts they've barely finished composting and are too acidic for small seeds? Well anyway that's my theory, by Ann Elk (all you Monty Python fans get that!).

So, please recommend me a seed compost, and we'll start again at the weekend.

[Bren In Pots]

I've used Growmoor multi purpose compost for years and its never failed me. Its not peat free though.

[smallblueplanet]

I've used Growmoor multi purpose compost for years and its never failed me. Its not peat free though.

Thanks Bren, would prefer peat free. It's tough as peat free compost quality can be very variable, sometimes from bag to bag it seems. But no point in buying compost if the seeds won't grow.

[Andraste]

I had a quick Google for peat-free "seed compost" using the quotes & there seem quite a few on offer.

I always sow into multi purpose too so sorry not to have a tested recommendation for you - but only ever buy the cheap stuff which I imagine is probably low quality in respect of nutrients. Miracle grow I consider the good stuff I use for proper growing - too rich for seeds perhaps?

[smallblueplanet]

... Miracle grow I consider the good stuff I use for proper growing - too rich for seeds perhaps?

Tesco had it on offer so picked up a couple of bags. Seems okay for repotting and the beans but the seeds in the heated prop really don't like it.

[Mark Rand]

if you haven't got a compost heap, what about sieved garden soil cooked in the oven at 60°C to sterilise it?

[smallblueplanet]

if you haven't got a compost heap, what about sieved garden soil cooked in the oven at 60°C to sterilise it?

Unfortunately our garden soil is somewhat naff after we had the garden redone and the topsoil brought in wasn't really, more like builders soil!

But I'm saving the oven use for cakes!

[smallblueplanet]

As an addendum. I decided that it was probably a combination of things that stopped the seeds growing, well a combination or I can't decide who to blame!
The compost wasn't sieved, just the big bits picked out so was maybe a bit clumpy. Also the sower forgot to add perlite to help drainage. They may also have been sowed a little deep and perhaps covered with too much vermiculite! Plus, plus some of the seeds are 'quite' old.
Anyway last weekend we saw some peat free seaweed enriched compost from Aldi

and tried that doing all the things we didn't do before! Seeds sown on Sunday:



The flower seeds are fast through! The ones on the left - Fern Lavender (which we saw on holiday in Cyprus) came through yesterday. Cosmos, borage and sunflowers also through, tomatoes and peppers will be slower, not yet showing but hey it's only been 4 days!

Just shows what 'good conditions' can do for seeds. I also think the Aldi compost is better than the MG, so we bought some more bags.

[Snoop Puss]

Great result, SBP. The lavender looks lovely.

My seed compost is rubbish. Big lumps of wood and chunks of plastic. But it's the best of a bad bunch locally.

[smallblueplanet]

Great result, SBP. The lavender looks lovely.

My seed compost is rubbish. Big lumps of wood and chunks of plastic. But it's the best of a bad bunch locally.

It can be grim stuff. Get sieving and add some perlite too!

[Snoop Puss]

It's mostly coir by the look of it, with added lumps. Not easy to sieve coir... It does have perlite in it, at least.

[Mark Rand]

I would guess that there's nothing really wrong with coir for compost. After 50-100 years decomposition in a bog.

[Snoop Puss]

I would guess that there's nothing really wrong with coir for compost. After 50-100 years decomposition in a bog.

Coconut coir is about all there is here that's peat free. And I don't have water to spare to make decent compost most years.

[Andraste]

Veering a little off topic but I've been able to maintain the moisture in our daleks with wee Snoop Puss - no loo on our site but we do have a watering can & a shed It's supposedly an accelerator too

[Snoop Puss]

Yes, I've used that. But we're in the thirties in the shade by June and mid forties for July and much of August and our climate is very dry, not humid. We'd need a lot of pee!