I am reassured by reports of similar findings in other gardeners crops that it is not my gardening at fault. I am disappointed that Gardeners World - both on television and as a magazine aren’t exploring the issues raised in this thread. The RHS recommend testing your compost - bit late as mine is in full use and the problem has occurred. Peat free composts need a lot more research and also need a testing scheme at source that is more rigorous and open.
My plot isn’t big enough for large compost bins and the only space would be in the shade so will need to buy it in.
I'm unsure why you think compost needs a sunny spot? Plants need sun, not compost. I would encourage you quite strongly to make your own, you don't know what you're missing. It's what proper gardeners do. You have to ask yourself 'Why do I garden in the first place?' Unless it's 'because it looks pretty' the answer to that will apply to making your own composts too.
@Tortoise19 This forum and the GW programme are not related, so they do not pick up stuff from here. The problems are just as likely to occur with peat free compost, as they are with peat containing composts, bagged manure etc. I agree this is a big issue that needs highlighting.
How can you lie there and think of England When you don't even know who's in the team
I have tried to make the compost in the spot where I have space but the bin just doesn't get hot enough to break it down. I add my garden waste, kitchen waste - uncooked and not meat and also some paper shredding. I understood that some sunshine was needed to promote the breakdown of the plants through heat. I will have to look at a thread on how to make compost. I am very aware of the benefits of making your own and envy those that do or maybe I should say can.
I used to have a bin under a tree - it did take longer than bins in the sun to produce good compost, but it still worked fine. The key is to turn it every 3ish months (or more frequently if you have the time)
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
I have tried to make the compost in the spot where I have space but the bin just doesn't get hot enough to break it down. I add my garden waste, kitchen waste - uncooked and not meat and also some paper shredding. I understood that some sunshine was needed to promote the breakdown of the plants through heat. I will have to look at a thread on how to make compost. I am very aware of the benefits of making your own and envy those that do or maybe I should say can.
Heat is good, but you don't have to have it. If it's left on or in the ground then it'll eventually break down, nature will see to it! It needs water too, either what is already in the mix or some rain if it's a bit dry. Oh and some manure. If you have any cows/horses/chickens within sensible reach then see if you can get some to throw in.
I have my compost bins on the north side of the garage. They get some sun in summer but not in winter when the sun rises and sets much further south and doesn't get very high in the sky. It works fine. Probably a year from start to finish, but it would probably be faster if I could find the time and energy to turn it more often. I water the heap in dry weather otherwise it stops decomposing around the outside.
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
@Tortoise19 Until I had a compost of 1x1 meter, the most earthworms were underneath the compost bags in the dark, shade but wet part of the garden. If you use a compost half brown half green, the earthworms will love it.
I will never buy that tomato compost and their feed again. I will bin my plants in the next days. I had from end of May my doubts.
Posts
I would encourage you quite strongly to make your own, you don't know what you're missing. It's what proper gardeners do.
You have to ask yourself 'Why do I garden in the first place?' Unless it's 'because it looks pretty' the answer to that will apply to making your own composts too.
This forum and the GW programme are not related, so they do not pick up stuff from here.
The problems are just as likely to occur with peat free compost, as they are with peat containing composts, bagged manure etc.
I agree this is a big issue that needs highlighting.
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
The key is to turn it every 3ish months (or more frequently if you have the time)
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Oh and some manure. If you have any cows/horses/chickens within sensible reach then see if you can get some to throw in.
This is what my tomatoes look like
I ♥ my garden.
The leaves are very dark and prolific
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.