Multipurpose compost alternative

trowel and error

Both my husband and I (like many at the moment) are currently in isolation so cannot go out to buy multi purpose compost for growing-on seedlings.  I have some compost from the compost heap made last year, was wondering if I could use that as an alternative.

Stevedaylilly

Hi 
Normally, I would use garden compost as a mulch covering for plants or as a soil conditioner. Even if you sieved it down, it wouldn’t be fine enough for seedlings imo
 

mandyroberts99

Looks like Wicks are still delivering although stores are shut

Smudgerii

Stevedaylilly said:

Hi 
Normally, I would use garden compost as a mulch covering for plants or as a soil conditioner. Even if you sieved it down, it wouldn’t be fine enough for seedlings imo
 

I’ve got to say this confuses me....   some seeds get sown directly into soil and I’m sure not many of us to consider our soil ‘fine enough’.

To the OP, imo sieve your compost as best you can and try a few seeds to see how they go.

wild edges

This might be a good time to try out coir as an alternative. You can buy it online as a compressed dry brick or pellets and a small bit expands a lot once wet. You'll need to use a dilute liquid feed though as the seedlings develop I imagine.

Kili

Have you got any old pots lying around with compost in them? If so tip that out and sieve it (if you have one) add some FBB to add nutrients as that compost will likely be devoid of all usable elements and plant your seedlings in there until ready to plant out.

Dovefromabove

I would do as Kili suggests and use sieved old compost from last year’s pots ... I wouldn’t add any FB&B until potting on ... germinating seeds and tiny seedlings don’t need it ... in fact it can do more harm than good. 

JoeX

mandyroberts99 said:

Looks like Wicks are still delivering although stores are shut

Yes, my delivery delayed from last week arrived today.  Delivered to the kerbside. 👍

JennyJ

Generally the "textbook advice" is not to reuse compost for seeds because there might be fungi or other plant pathogens in it, but it would be better than nowt. I wonder if putting a  seed tray full of reused compost in a plastic bag and heating it in the microwave would kill off any nasties (before sowing seeds)?

GemmaJF

I tend to take the view plants want to grow, we just shouldn't do things to stop them. I had to really hunt around to get 3 bags of multi-purpose compost the other day, which is not going to be enough as I have containers to fill too this year. I always think the delivery cost on top makes home delivery unattractive on compost unless buying in jumbo bags.

I have some quite old home made compost bagged up. Using it for the bigger veg seeds, peas, beans etc this year. Will probably just mix it with some sieved garden soil and hope for the best. If I get the odd weed seedling pop up in the pots, not going to worry this year.

Stevedaylilly