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• Message 1. 

  Posted by Tee Gee (U10012255) on Saturday, 21st April 2012

  Hi all;
  
  I thought I would get another word in on the "Not fit for purpose" compost issue before the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú switches off.
  
  As I left it before; I said I was going to check with Wickes and B&Q to see what their answer was to this problem.
  
  On looking at their websites, in particular Wickes I found that they had been inundated with complaints in the 'customer review ' page [url]/url]
  
  At least they offered an explanation on the subject which each reader can read into it what they like.
  
  B & Q were not as forthcoming, or at least I couldn't find it, I only found favourable comments from the customer reviews.
  
  As a member of the RHS I was thinking on contacting them on the subject, plus contacting my MP but then I thought I would do a bit of online research first before contacting them.
  
  That is when I found this ten A4 page article on the subject seen here; [url] [/url]
  
  Surprise, surprise! who do you think I should I find on the credits list?
  
  No other than; The RHS, B & Q and the Government.
  
  Meaning; it looks like the very people I was going to complain to. are partially to blame for the position we gardeners find ourselves in.
  
  So to me. it only means one thing. and that is; the rules have now been carved in stone and we have to live with composts we are currently being served up with.
  
  So once again; a minority has ruled for the majority in another 'rip off Britain scenario.
  
  Meaning; we gardeners have to pay more for less, or put another way, we have to purchase stuff that is not fit for purpose.
  
  Personally I don't think this is good enough!
  
  Then there is the other question! are we using less peat?
  
  I guess we will never know because the powers will I suspect, keep these statistics very close to their chest!
  
  You can bet that commercial plant growers have a supply of peat in order to make their potting on composts ( I know of one) and we the 'public' have to live with what is left!
  
  
  OK what are we going to do about it?
  
  If I had been asked the question; do you know of a way of using less peat yet keeping the status quo I would have said yes!
  
  Let me explain how;
  
  Let's look at what was;
  
  As I understand it 'Multi-purpose compost' probably accounted for as much peat as all the other types of compost put together so if savings were to be made this would seem to be the obvious area to tackle.
  
  The first question that has to be asked is; Why do we use so much of this type of compost?
  
  My answer would be that it is in the name 'Multi-purpose'
  
  Many people take this literally and use it for everything, even things it is not suited for.
  
  
  The older experienced gardener doesn't s/he will use a seed compost when needed ,or a potting compost when needed, or similarly, any of the other specialist composts such as; Orchid, Bonsai, House plant, Hanging basket, Fuchsia, Cactus, Alpine composts to name but a few.
  
  But what do the majority do? they use multi-purpose compost.
  
  Let's say we changed the name to say; 'pricking out' or 'potting on' compost would they still use it for everything?
  
  I don't think so!
  
  OK I have been critical of what has happened, but I am prepared to offer a solution where I firmly believe we would save even more peat, and still have what is patently lacking in the gardeners armoury;
  
  a good 'pricking out' or 'potting on' compost like we used to have.
  
  
  This is how I would do it;
  
  Lets learn from the past; when I first started gardening the John Innes formulation was the order of the day with its John Innes seed compost plus John Innes 1,2 and 3 formulations.
  
  It was the advent of loam shortages and the introduction of soil-less composts that changed the whole compost scene, now a shortage of peat is changing ( has changed) the scene again, for the worse.
  
  In my opinion we should develop a similar system to the John Innes formulation for example;
  
  C, C1, C2,and C3 ( or some such code / reference)
  
  As with the John Innes system the numbering refers to the fertiliser content so with this soil-less
  
  
  'C' Would have no fetiliser content as such.
  
  In other words it would be the same recipe as has been existence since the advent of soil-less composts.
  
  
  C1. Would replace multi-purpose compost, and be of the same recipe as the original multi-purpose recipe i.e. peat based.
  
  The fertilser content would be sufficient to sustain plants for up to six weeks.
  
  The main difference would be on the packaging!
  
  For example; it would possibly be named 'potting on compost' with the advice stating it is only suitable for use in containers up to 75mm (3") diameter / square, and only has sufficient fertiliser to sustain plants up to six weeks.
  
  This hopefully would take away the inference that it can be used for multi-purposes.
  
  It would also have a sell by date on it.
  
  Then if it wasn't sold, it can be returned to be re-processed into C2 compost, this would ensure that no stock is carried over into the following growing season.
  
  
  
  C2. or Potting compost; This is where I envisage major peat savings can be made, because it will be totally 'peat free'
  
  I see this being used for say containers over 75mm(3") diameter / square up to 300mm (12") diameter square.
  
  The fertilser content would be sufficient to sustain plants from six to thirteen weeks.
  
  I can hear the gasps of; it will be rubbish! even more than it is at the moment.
  
  Well I would say, think of it in this way;
  
  Most of us plant out plug / pot plants into the soil which in certain areas can be quite coarse, so what is the difference between planting them out into a peat free compost, very little I would have thought.
  
  
  
  C3. Bulk fill compost.
  
  This can be used in grow-bags, planters and or raised beds or any other large container/s
  
  This would also be 'peat free'
  
  The fertilser content would be sufficient to sustain plants for up to six months.
  
  Use of this type of compost would remove the current practice of using multi-purpose compost as is often done today.
  
  
  Conclusion;
  
  In producing this article I have tried to be constructive and I am certain by using such a system; Peat usage would be substantially cut, gardeners will have a product in C1 that can wean their plant in preparation for planting out, something they have had taken away from them with the current compost recipes.
  
  Finally;
  
  I would like to say to all the people who read this, if you think it has merit or is a load of clap trap please say so by offering your opinions, this is more than the powers that be did.
  
  With the closure of the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú forum I know many of you have sown seed in pastures new and as this situation is not going to go away for some time (if ever) I would say; feel free to copy and paste this article on any forum you are involved with, then perhaps someone of notoriety might take up the case.
  
  
  If you have got this far then thanks for reading this.....Tg
  
  
  

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by capricornbcaroline (U8618227) on Saturday, 21st April 2012

  Well TG I wouldn't like you to think that no one got to the end of this very interesting post. i did and i enjoyed it and very much agreed with it. I certainly need the sort of guidance that your new labelling system would provide. Incidentally, the latest Beechgrove had a fairly scathing analysis of some of the new peat free options. I hope someone with influence will read your words.
  
  While I am writing I would like to thank you for your wonderful website from which I have learned so much.

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• Message 3

  , in reply to message 2.

  Posted by zoomer44 (U14019069) on Saturday, 21st April 2012

  For what it's worth I think what you have to say has merit but if anyone takes notice, graded bags aren't going to happen this year.
  
  I've been in search of decent grow bags for a few weeks now, after buying 5 bags of wood chippings, paint and plastic which my spuds are not growing in, I need a decent compost at a reasonable price or it's just not worth growing spuds in bags or growing stuff in the GH for that matter.
  
  I do think bags of compost are particularly bad this year. Our local B & Q was constantly sold out of grow bags this time last year for several weeks, not so this year.
  
  It seems consumers are checking bags before they buy, each place I've visited, bags have been sliced open.
  
  As a consumer and gardener the issue for me isn't just about the use or none use of peat it's about green recylcable waste which is clearly being used in grow bags/multi purpose compost.
  
  Call me cynical but for what it's worth and this is just my opinion. If a council can get someone from the private sector to take away it's green waste for free, they let them do it. Excellent, as this keeps our council taxes down. House holders are happy because they are doing their bit by recycling.
  The private sector end up with lots of green waste with the intention of turning this into compost to sell back to the gardener at a profit and recupe what it has cost them to collect the waste. In order to keep profits high the cheapeat possible methods are used to refine the waste. It's eventually packaged up and sold back to people who need the compost for growing plants.
  
  My view is councils and people in general are trying to do the right thing by recylcing, it's the private sector who are out to make a quick buck and not refining the waste sufficently enough to take out nails, paint, plastic etc,,or allowing the compost to rot down sufficently for it to be a medium to grow plants in.
  
  I think if sufficient consumers do their bit and ask to see the content of a bag of compost before buying and refuse to buy unless seen will create change.

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• Message 4

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by As-If (U15116884) on Saturday, 21st April 2012

  Remember every one, it is still possible to buy a bag of peat at garden centres.
  It might be an idea to buy plain peat and add it to the inferior compost.
  There are no nutrients in peat, I know, but we gardeners are a resourceful lot, we could add some food.

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• Message 5

  , in reply to message 4.

  Posted by the2 jays (U14383723) on Sunday, 22nd April 2012

  Thank you TG. I too got to the end & it does make so much sense to us gardeners who are struggling to find decent compost that don't cost the earth, in both meanings. Would it be worth getting in touch with people like AT & MD for example. They do seem to have the capacity to get through to people.
  
  Good luck with your quest, will you be posting this elsewhere?
  
  GJ

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• Message 6

  , in reply to message 5.

  Posted by Tee Gee (U10012255) on Sunday, 22nd April 2012

  It might be an idea to buy plain peat and add it to the inferior compost 
  
  I partly agree with you as if, let me explain;
  
  I did as you say ( with the B&Q stuff) and the result was sludge so I wasted a lot of peat.
  
  I have gone back to Peat and sand with added Chempak potting base this weekend and the compost looked " bootiful"
  
  I have re-pricked out over 800 plants into it over this weekend.
  
  What I noticed with the Wickes stuff was it gets very wet and dense, waterlogged if you like, even with frugal watering.
  
  I also noticed when I was clearing out the old compost that there was loads of fungal growth, verticillium I would guess, which I think is emanating from the fibrous wood decaying (the very stuff they are bragging about)
  
  This also suggests to me high acidity which might explain why my seedlings have stopped growing and the roots are dying off.
  
  They are probably 'burning off due to the acidity. and the pH is totally out of kilter.
  
  I stuck my pH meter in it, this method is not very accurate, but it does give an indication and. I got a readinf of 6.0
  
  So I will be ordering two bales of peat next year, to hell with this compost lottery.

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