Are there ANY good multi purpose composts?

My OH had problems with germination of seeds earlier this year, then changed the compost he was using (woody and bits) to Verve seed and potting compost from B&Q. Seeds germinated well.
www.diy.com/departments/verve-peat-free-cutting-sowing-compost-35l/5063022049766_BQ.prd

I saved compost this year, from all my strawberry containers, no strawberries at home now. This compost is in 2 big trugs and under cover, nice and dry. I will add worm castings to that also compost enrichment boosters like wood ash and bonemeal etc and then I will sieve this for seeds.

I have completely lost faith in the commercial composts but do still have a few bags of jacks magic stored in my garage. Next year I will do similar

I generally use B&Q compost. I add perlite. Often mix in some of my own compost too. I did buy one of the more expensive branded composts last year and wasn't impressed.

My gardening consultant said to check the Which Facebook threads about gardening?

Greyduster John Innes has gone the same way I ve bought three bags and it’s awful full of bits of wood and everything else got little flies and tiny toadstools coming up in every seed tray I ve used it in

25Avalon

Sphagnum peat moss is renewable.

I stand corrected😊

sylvagrow is not available locally, they are having a lot of trouble sourcing any compost.

Sphagnum peat moss is renewable.

All m seeds have come on a treat with seed and potting compost, any brand does the job for me.

I’d used Jacks Magic for years until last year when I was really disappointed with how horrible the peat free stuff was. I ended up sieving it to get anything fine enough for potting on small seedlings, or rooting cuttings. Levington with John Innes used to be pretty good but I’ve not used the peat free stuff.

Jack’s Magic I think is great.

If it’s of any interest, Wickes has 50L bags of compost for £4 instead of £6.50. The offer is on until April 22nd.
I don’t know how good it is, but we’ve just bought some to top up the raised beds.

Can I just gently say that there is no such thing as a sustainable source of peat.

Once it has gone - that is it.

Just about to renew our herb bed as it has got totally out of control.

So just purchased a bag of Sylvagrow + bag JI3 - will mix it with grit and garden compost.

Thank you 25Avalon

I use big bags of Miracle-Gro Peat Free Premium Moisture Control Compost. It doesn't dry out very fast, drains well.

For seed sowing, I bought some John Innes seed compost from Amazon this year. Not cheap, but it was really good quality and the germination rates have been excellent. Potting compost now is not a patch on what it used to be. I mix two parts multipurpose compost with one part each of John Innes no. 2 and manure plus a bit of fish, blood and bone fertiliser. This doesn't dry out too quickly and gives good results. I speak as an ex nurserywoman.

I use 'Clover' multi purpose compost and have been using it for years and in my view its the best available. It does contain peat. I have tried a number of peat free composts, but haven't yet found one which gives me good results. I run our allotment trading shed and currently I can get Clover compost from our wholesaler. For seed sowing I add vermiculite to the compost. With peat free composts you need to starting using plant feed after about 5 weeks.

I order my compost and top soil from Wickes, they deliver and horticultural grit from Amazon

I agree most composts now are just a mix of straw, twigs and dust. It dries out so quickly.

I was repotting a tree and was advised to mix some garden soil with the compost as the peat free stuff does not retain the water as well.

Try Jamieson Brothers multi purpose compost which contains peat. Sliding scale of charges starting at £7.46 for a 60L bag plus delivery.
There’s also McCann’s compost containing Irish peat ( they are an Irish company) which if you google you may find near you. £60 for 10 x 60L bags. Holm’s have it if you are near Winchester or will deliver within a 30 mile radius.

polly99 looks like that’s what ll I have to do in future shame though

Many years ago I bought a streptacarpus Laura from Dibleys at the Southport Flower Show. Every spring I would carefully put it in fresh compost and luckily got some more plants by doing a leaf cutting. After the usual repotting last Spring, the (peat free) compost went mouldy and my plants died.
I had given one of the plants from my leaf cutting to a friend so she was able to help me out. I told my tale of woe to the owner of a local nursery and he sold me some compost which contains peat. The plants don't look anywhere near as good as they used to but I am treating them well and hope for the best. I love that plant.

ChurchviewI have an a.llotnent 🤣🤣no one delivers compost though

I should have added my bags are John Innes which used to be a good nance in the gardening world
Yesterday I opened a packet of Thomason and Morgan lobelia seeds and it was completely empty not a thing in the little silver pouch inside the packet I know lobelia are tiny like dust almost but it was totally empty but how can I prove that !!!