Peatfree compost.

At the beginning of the season I sowed several veg seeds in both Levingtons peat free compost and also Aldi's Enriched peat free compost. Germination was less than 50% mainly, I think, due to the high acidity levels from all the bits of unmulched woody twigs and fibrous roots. I then bought Clover peat free compost and re sowed the same seeds and have pretty much 100% germination. It's not the cheapest compost but the difference in quality is immediately obvious when you open the bag; no sticks, twigs, bits of unrotted roots or fibre, just clean, fine tilth compost. I've dumped the other stuff on the potato patch.

I try very hard to be eco-friendly but peat is my stumbling block. Peatfree compost is not fit for purpose.

This is the last year that a lot of small specialist nurseries will be showing at RHS shows like Chelsea because they will have to be peat free. If commercial growers can't make peat free work for them I'm not surprised that amateurs are struggling. Most of the peat free I've bought doesn't help in root formation and dries out too quickly resulting in poor results. I'm now mixing sieved soil into the mix.

I agree the peat free compost is awful and dries out too easily, there should be more choice.

I was giving compost some thought, and it occurred to me that my grandfather - a gardener in one of those huge estates (think Downton) - used to make his own seed compost - well, compost of any sort. I remember he had different grade sieves which he put his home made compost through ending up with a very fine one. I can remember them hung on the potting shed wall.

Well he didn’t have any access to peat. Most people would not have done back then, and look at the beautiful things they grew. So I’m not convinced it is lack of peat. It may be poor quality compost though, and of course growing conditions.one year - temperature - especially night time is never like another, and my guess it is other variables apart from peat.

Dont use peatfree for seedlings, proper seedling compost will be a mix of soil and compost John Innes is one of them.
Many of the plants you buy in the garden centers are produced in Holland grown in peat compost. If it's any consolation Ive had problems because of the cold nights causing very slow emergence.

I've bought a multipurpose compost with added John Innes soil and it seems fine. Some of the stuff I bought last year was rubbish with a lot of woodchips in it which would be hopeless for seed growing

I'm also disappointed with my peat free compost .
My seeds haven't germinated as well as they did before .
I had some failures with plants which normally grow really well .
Jack's Magic and Westland are good .

It's trial and error.

I’m come to the end of my store of Jacks Magic 25Avalon. Going to try Westland, reasonable reviews on allotment website.

Every grower will tell you peat free is not yet as good for seeds and plants as compost with peat in. They are still using it on the continent which puts our commercial growers at a disadvantage. I bought up several bags and stored them.

Quite a lot of my seeds have failed this year.
The compost is dreadful, pieces of foil and even plastic in it.
Water seems to just drain through, leaving a dry hard layer on the top.

Well we don’t all have suppliers some of us just pick it up at the nearest supermarket or garden centre
It is awful stuff dry and full of woody bits my seeds have mostly germinated but it’s not good looking compost that s for sure

This has happened to me in the past. I changed my supplier last year and then had wonderful success germinating seeds. I've gone back to the same community nursery this year. Perhaps change your supplies to a different brand?