On 29/03/15 16:00, Charlie Pridham wrote:

"Bob Hobden" wrote in message
...
"Broadback" wrote

I use a lot of compost every year, 4-5 large bags. the last 2 years of so
it has been a PITA. It is so compressed that I am spending more time and
energy loosening it it using it. Has anyone else experienced this? Is
there a commonly available make that is not usually compressed, of have
you some easy way to loosen it? TIA

Yes that has happened to me too, big lumps that need you to get your hands
in to break up, also I found last year when I had a couple of bags stored
over winter that the next spring I had lumps of fungus in the compost
which I had to remove bit by bit. They keep telling us that peat free is
the way to go but I do wonder if these modern composts are fit for purpose
if you actually want to grow plants as apposed to using in patio troughs
etc.
--
Regards. Bob Hobden.
Posted to this Newsgroup from the W of London, UK

OK, firstly the problem of compressed compost is due to its transport on
pallets so it won't matter which brand you buy if your bag was low down on
the lorry it will be solid, trick is to drop the bag on each of its 4 edges,
repeat as required!

Peat free compost is crap, get used to it! its all you will have in just a
few years more, here the trick is to mix about one third soil with it and
add slow release fertilizer, fine seed compost is more of an issue, may be
worth making your own from leaf mould. We have been running peat free now
for around 15 years and grow a huge range of plants, we still struggle with
some things.

I'm fortunate enough to have a source of original Erin composts (eg see
http://www.trefhedyn.co.uk/wp-conten...caceous_1.jpg). Even
so, they make reduced peat composts as well as originals, so you have to
take note when you are buying it.

--

Jeff