Establishing a new garden

[Sambucus]

We are moving house and I’m going to be starting a new garden and largeish greenhouse. It’s pretty rural so I don’t think individual bags of potting compost from a garden centre will be practicable. I’m planning to make my own but that takes time. Anyone got advice on how to make sure I have sufficient compost for pots, seeds etc. I also worry that home made compost is too coarse for seeds? Feeling a bit out of my depth (and sadly, not in compost!).

I think you're confusing the two sorts of compost. There's the stuff you buy in bags which is used for seed-sowing, general propagation and growing things in pots. This can be soil-based (John Innes) or based on another medium like coir or woodchip. It generally is scientifically balanced and contains the necessary nutrients.

Then there is the compost you make yourself from household or garden waste. This is usually used as a soil improver or conditioner. Specialist growers will sometimes use good quality garden compost to sow certain seeds, but will usually sieve it and add specific nutrients to it.

Mostly though even nurseries that grow their own stock use bagged compost or mix it with a little garden compost or leaf mould. I have a small specialist nursery and this is what I do, but that suits the plants I specialise in. You could look for a bulk trade order from a firm like LBS if you think you need a lot.
It is confusing.

My advice would be to take your time, don't take on too much all in one go, and to let the plants teach you their likes and dislikes. You also need to get to know the garden, the soil, the local climate, which bits are in shade all winter, windy corners, all of that stuff. Find that out first and plant accordingly, otherwise you will either kill things or have to dig them up and move them because they aren't happy.

There are things that are done at the same time each year, and it's not all at once, the jobs are spread out through the calendar so there's always something to plant, prune or sow.

Ah thank you, Bideshi. That helps to explain things. I will certainly have to buy some in - I’ll take a look at the supplier you suggested.
And sage advice, Yamadori. I’m feeling enthused but could easily be overwhelmed so I definitely need to take it slowly.

After my garden make over, I bought mine from Compost Direct, they were really helpful. It was excellent quality and 5 years on my garden is flourishing, without any need for feeding.