Durstons MP or JAB Compost 2013

[irridium]

I'm in need to buy some compost soon as my stock from last year is running low. Unfortunately, I'm unable to be choosy about selected brands as I don't drive and would depend on the two retailers available for deliveries. This year, I have Durstons MP compost/or MP with added JI and J Arthur Bowers Multi-purpose Compost 60 Litres. The latter is one I haven't tried yet and am a bit sceptical about a new brand that I have no experience of. Last year's MP was Plant & Grow (Premium Horticulture Ltd) but it isn't great as it's filled with bark.

Has anyone had experience of either of these brands? It's not ideal but I don't really have much choice

[irridium]

[Pescador]

I used JAB last year with no problems

[grannyjanny]

If you have a search there are several threads on JAB compost. I wouldn't touch it after giving it a second chance the year before last. It wasn't compost it was lumps of all sorts including glass, wood & plastic.

[green lily]

I use Singletons but when I run out it will probably be Lidls..  Do you have one of those? It doesn't seem too bad at the price.

[irridium]

Sorry, didn't proof-read my post, i should have said that it was the Durston's compost that I haven't tried. Did try the JAB but that was years ago, and I can't remember what the quality was then. As money's tight, I don't think the Lidl's one will be suitable as they're usually in smaller bags whereas I'd like something at least 60l and I'd have to pay for a taxi which will probably cost about  a tenner to cover the journey.

Anyone heard of Durstan's?
Thanks!

[grannyjanny]

Our local Booths supermarket sell Dunstons. I haven't used it but a plot neighbour used it a couple of years ago & said she would use it again.

[irridium]

it's currently priced at 3 for a £10 with free delivery (live locally) so, I'm really taking a risk with it if i do order this. i've yet to see what it looks like as they didn't have any in stock when i enquired last week.

Normally, I get my compost delivered from this nursery about 6 miles away where they only charge £5 delivery but the quality of the various brands have been up and down for the last couple of years. It's always hit and miss and it gets v. annoying when you open the first bag and it's full of crax that you have 5 others like it (I bulk order so it'll last for at least 15mths) so you end up sieving it all the time (last brand is about 1/5 full of 1" bark, thankfully nothing nasty).

How's everyone's 2013 bought compost so far?

[grannyjanny]

I love Mother Earth compost & have a enough hopefully for seed sowing.

[irridium]

think i'll give the nursery a ring in the morning and see what other brands they do. after reading the rep. of JAB in previous posts, I'll give that a miss and not get too money-saving frugal by going for these three for a tenner offers, and buy singly instead. is that most good gardeners' way of thinking?

GJ: Thanks for your replies. I'll look-out for Clover/Mother Earth.

[grannyjanny]

It was Manicscouser who put me on to Mother Earth/Clover. Wonderful stuff, like putting your hand into a bag of flour compared to the others. It didn't need sieving either. You could go on the Clover web site & email them. They would tell you if there's a local stockist.

OH took me on a 15 mile round trip to get some 2 years ago ago just to shut me up about the sieving I needed to do. I have complained to JAB twice & received vouchers & another one that I can't remember.

[irridium]

got the Durston's one in the end and found that it was lovely, friable, black and with no bits in the first scoop I'd done for my seedlings. It also, had perlite/vermiculite in it as well which I'd not seen in MP compost before. I just hope that my seeds/seedlings  will survive and grow on well in this new brand.

[grannyjanny]

That's good to hear .

[daveylamp993]

Have Durstons compost company have a website ?

[irridium]

here you go -


http://www.durstongardenproducts.co.uk/stockists.html
i got the 60l MP one at 3 for a £10.

[daveylamp993]

thank you

[tricia]

Has anyone else noticed how the MP compost suppliers are conning us? Three or four years ago they were 75 l, then last year they were 70 l - and this year they are mostly at 60 l, even though the price is the same or higher

Tricia

[irridium]

yes, i noticed that  so not fair...

[grannyjanny]

I used the link to Durstons web site & asked if they have a seller local to me. The reply was that they don't but Lidl & Aldi own label compost & bark is actually Durstons. Worth knowing.

[Doris_Pinks]

I am using miracle grow this year (OH bought it for me, 3 for a tenner) not impressed at all. Wont bother to get it again, full of bits and feels very rough with what feels like shredded uncomposted stuff in it. (Not a good description but I cant think of the word I want to describe it!) And lots of it has gone mouldy on the top of my pots    It says on the side that the texture is like that to improve drainage!!