I know I should but I'm thinking of using peat based compost

[Houseplanter]

* shouldnt*

Because the peat free stuff is so rubbish!

I'm a big houseplant fan (who'd have guessed) and I've repotted several and found it full of hard lumps, fibrous stuff that won't hold any water and worse of all I think fungus gnat larvae.

Now it's outdoor pots time I'm finding it just as horrible.

What's everyone else doing?

I've never bothered until they're in the bigger pots and never had a problem before but will try that and just hope it's not too late for them! Thanks for the advice :)

I was using germination as shorthand for "visible plant growth above the soil" not actual "sprouting of the seed in the soil" OK, fair enough

Buy peat based - it is very recyclable and it’s only people with very fussy plants that buy it

Peat is a better carbon sink than forest. We have lost a large proportion of our peat lands. I do not see how I can justify using this precious resource on recreational gardening.

Be aware wood based bedding composts much more slowly than the manure or any green weeds etc.
So you will have to leave a mix like that for far longer before it's usable, than if it were just a "normal" garden contents compost bin/heap.

Totally agree.

Some really interesting points and advice..

I'm really tying myself up in knots here though. I enjoy my garden, we have trees, shrubs, a lawn, feed the birds year round, feed the hedgehogs, encourage bees etc.

But suddenly I can't find decent peat free compost, I'm having to pay for a bin so my garden waste can be taken away.

My neighbour on the other has a plastic lawn, plastic decking, no need for a bin and doesn't buy compost.

It doesn't seem right that doing the right thing is getting harder!

I use top soil for my plants and they’re doing great.

Doing the right thing has always been hard. It's easier now to buy peat-free compost, even though we don't like the quality. Some green choices are easier, like eating less meat. Others are harder, like eating local seasonal vegetables - although that's easier now than it was 30 years ago I think.

And of course our knowledge changes on what is the "right thing". We probably wouldn't be using so many plastics now if we hadn't been trying so hard to "save the trees" in the 70s and 80s and replacing paper and wood by plastic.

What garden waste is being taken away? Do you not compost?

Charging is really difficult. Our Council tip has started charging for soil, ceramics, hardcore. On the one hand charging discourages people from sending stuff to landfill if they can find another solution, on the other, for some people the "other solution" is to fly-tip.

Hopefully, plastic grass will get banned.

You now have to apply for planning permission to convert your front garden to a hard surface. But I'm not sure how many people do, and of those who don't, how many are picked up on. Maintaining environmental standards isn't compatible with "austerity".

Most of the big brands are way behind in their product development for peat free compost. It's a completely different beast and production process. Sone of the newer companies like Rocket Gro have better products as theyve bedn developing them for 10+ years.

Many nurseries are having success with a recycled coir base which they add the appropriate fertiliser too depending on the plant. One of thbiggest t changes for gardeners is re water. Peat free can look really dry, but 2-3 inches down will be soaking. So use a dip stick (eg cane) approach to see if it needs watering.
(RHS student who was literally studying this topic last week and visiting big nursery...)

Have you got space for a wormery OP, the stuff that come out of that is really good to mix in with your bought compost.

I agree that Melcourt is the best.

Protecting the environment takes effort, destroying it is easy,

Pretty much the same for anything that's worthwhile really: cooking, teaching, taking care of friends and family, supporting your community.

I digress.
Don't buy peat, save up some pennies and buy a good organic peat free wool, bracken or grass fed-manure compost - many examples up-thread.

So I use about 5 big bags a year.. some of the suggestions mean that's around £100. So my 3 for £12 bags seem like small change compared to them.

My dilemma continues

I doing the following mix for my pots this year - top soil, bought peat free compost, well rotted manure and horticultural grit. I'm hoping it will have more oompf, minerals and water retaining properties than just the peat free compost which I find as awful as everyone else here.

Seedlings just don't develop in their pots like they used to so I'm moving away from half hardy annuals to seeds I can just plant in the garden soil.

Just had a look at Miracle Grow compost on Amazon and the most recent reviews are a repeat of the feedback here! I've also had the same problem and struggling to grow seeds in it. Following with interest...

I have had some hits and kisses with various peat free composts. Mainly they dry out and form a crust on top which the seedlings can't get through very well. I bought some of this recently and so far I am really liking it. Not too many large uncomposted pieces of twig etc and doesn't seem to do the drying out on top thing. I repotted all my house plants as we had an infestation of fungus gnats last year and the plants seem really happy, so long may that last.

www.cowellsgc.co.uk/product/moorland-peat-free-compost-40l

The UK has lost 97% of its peat bogs and Ireland 99%. Mostly due to farming but also due to burning peat and other uses. It’s such an important carbon sink.

I’ve bought a few bags of Westland multi purpose this year and my plants look great. Petunia hanging baskets are absolutely huge. Tomatoes appear very happy with their lot.

Personally my green waste bin is where I put all the plants I don’t want growing in my compost heap so I wouldn’t touch council waste compost!

The UK has lost 97% of its peat bogs and Ireland 99%. Mostly due to farming but also due to burning peat and other uses. It’s such an important carbon sink. More effective carbon sink than trees.

We started making a similar mix three years ago, when we opened a bag of peat free and found Christmas tree glitter in it!

B&Q topsoil is very reliable, it is a good texture and seems sterile as far as weeds etc are concerned. The latest rhs magazine tells readers to start feeding seedlings as soon as the first true leaves show, which used to be anathema ! But demonstrates how poor the composts are.

I bought some seed compost ( which used to be the classic JI mix) last year, it seemed to be largely sand and a bit of topsoil, so now I just use the standard mix as above with less dung, but surface sow everything smaller than a sunflower seed and cover with vermiculite.

Our garden has drifted towards plants which are happy enough to self seed (as annuals or biennials) or thrive . Then we select for a good form.

Yes? I said it was an important carbon sink.

https://www.organiccatalogue.com/moorland-gold-compost_MH5974?feed=shopping
this is peat based, but OK, it's basically the sludge from the bttom of reservoirs, filtered
not cheap though
(other suppliers are available)

I think they were agreeing with you. Most people think planting trees is the best thing you can do for carbon capture, but think nothing of peat bogs and how much good they do.

I'd imagine that use of peat in compost will be banned soon, so you might as well bite the bullet and find a way that works for you.

You just have to go back to mix your own blend, depending on what you need it for.

So a bit of topsoil for body. (You can microwave this part to sterilise any weed seeds). I just take this from the beds as and when required.

A bit of organic matter such as well rotted compost or leaf mould etc for the nutrients and microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi to promote plant growth. (Don't try to sterilise this - it'll defeat the purpose!). I've used a bit of well rotted manure and mushroom compost in a pinch and it worked fine.

Maybe something like grit / perlite / vermiculite etc to change the drainage and air structure as required.

I've been doing this for a few years and it works well and generally saves a lot of money.

Alternatively, I do order builder's bags once a year of compost from a reputable horticulture company - this year it was about £60 for 850L - worked out way cheaper than going to local garden centre.

The supermarket peat free compost is no good. Get yourself to a decent plant nursery where the staff really know their stuff. I found an organic one that’s good this way. Yes it’s more expensive but it works ok.

Mycelium networks in your soil means plants are getting extra nutrients through the mycelium network. When they produce mushrooms, let them be, it all helps with soil health.

Melcourt is now my go to.
It needs to be used within a few months so buy a bag or two at a time.
Good for seeding, good for potting up
good for tubs (mixed 4:1 with composted manure )