New Peat Free Compost Range

[Ron]

Many gardeners would prefer to use a peat free compost but find their performance to be somewhat disappointing, so much so that they have developed a poor reputation. The RHS are currently endorsing a range from Melcourt called SylvaGrow. It is not yet widely available so they are encouraging people to approach their local garden centres and ask them to stock it, for the purpose of which they are offering a promotion. Have a look and see what you think.

sylvagrow.co.uk/category/latest-news/

[Barbara]

If it as good as they are saying Ron, it , would be worth a try, if only for the not having to water as often bit.

[Ron]

Nov 30, 2016 11:46:23 GMT Barbara said:

If it as good as they are saying Ron , it , would be worth a try, if only for the not having to water as often bit.

I agree, Barbara, though it isn't easy to find stockists yet. Hopefully it will be available by the time I need it. I know the director of our local GC and have emailed him about it to see if he will stock it.

I emailed Melcourt with a couple of questions, one about the continued reliability of the formulation. As you know, composts can change from year to year with new formulations and a good one may let you down later. I've been assured that theirs will not significantly change. I also asked about ph. Their standard compost is 6.5 and the ericaceous is 5.8 out of interest. They have asked my permission, which I have given, to use the emails and their answers on their site to help other interested people. I will even get a mention as 'Ronald, a keen gardener from Eccleshall in Staffordshire'!

[Ron]

This is a link to my little mention on the Melcourt site.

www.melcourt.co.uk/the-importance-of-product-consistency-for-gardeners-and-a-promise-from-melcourt/

[Ladygardener]

Perhaps they'll ask you to do some kind of trial for them Ron, I had a little look around but did'nt see how much a bag costs......

[Ron]

Ladygardener, as this is fairly new, some suppliers are taking advantage. Amazon for instance will charge you £12 for a 50 litre bag and some are worse than that. There's a garden centre in Telford, about 17 miles from me, selling at a more reasonable £6 to £7 a bag. I've emailed them to ask if they deliver. You can find your nearest supplier using this link, though you may not find one conveniently close unfortunately. sylvagrow.co.uk/where-to-buy/

[Ron]

Barbara, Ladygardener, I have found an online retailer who sells SylvaGrow composts and will deliver. The prices are reasonable, £6.98 for the standard compost, £7.99 for ericaceous, but you do have a delivery charge as well. I've ordered mine from there, it seems to be the best available. www.valegardens.co.uk/acatalog/SylvaGrow-Peat-Free-Multi-Compost-50L-72333.html#SID=915

[Ladygardener]

Ron, I'm actually quite happy with the compost I use at the moment but I think it'll be interesting to see how this new one does for others over the coming year or two.

[Ron]

Dec 7, 2016 13:30:37 GMT Ladygardener said:

Ron , I'm actually quite happy with the compost I use at the moment but I think it'll be interesting to see how this new one does for others over the coming year or two.

I will publish the results on here from growing potatoes and carrots in the bags so that yields can be compared.