Village Bulk Compost Order

I have, for several years, placed a bulk order for compost at this time of year so anyone in the village can benefit from the reduced price gained when ordering a larger quantity. This year I have got trade prices from Rocketgro, Dalefoot and Fertile Fibre.

ROCKETGRO have increased their range of composts this year (see their website: rocketgro.co.uk).
Most bags are either 40 litre or 50 litre and the price is about £4.30/bag, including delivery providing I order at least one pallet (60 bags). Rocketgro has the advantage of being produced locally in Cannington but does tend to be very wet and more difficult to handle.

DALEFOOT compost is made from bracken and sheep wool (see website: dalefootcomposts.co.uk).
We have been buying this compost for many years. It is generally easier to handle than Rocketgro but it comes from Penrith and the transport costs are greater. Dalefoot Wool, Vegetable and Gold Clay Buster composts are £6.51/30litre bag delivered.
Double strength is £7.13/30 litre bag, delivered.
Seed compost is £4.00/ 12 litre bag, delivered.
Bulb compost is £4.77/20 litre bag, delivered.
These prices are very similar to last year but if a mixed case has to be ordered then there is a small surcharge which would increase the prices very slightly.

FERTILE FIBRE coir based compost has been used by Adam at Good Vibe Veg, (who uses it for seed-sowing as well as potting on, etc.), and also by Ingrid Popplewell. Both find it very successful (website: fertilefibre.com).
This compost is different in that it comes as a dry block of coir (about 30cm x 30cm x 15cm) and a bag of dry nutrients. These are then mixed together with 25 litres of water (a wheelbarrow is about the right size) to create 70 litres of multipurpose compost at £9.12/ 5kg bale. This is approximately half retail price but we do need to order 100 bales!
This compost is much smaller to store dry and can then be mixed when needed.
It does not deteriorate over time, provided that it is kept dry, but on reconstitution after a year the volume is reduced to about 60litres. The coir also has to be transported from India/Sri Lanka!

All of these companies are Soil Association approved and each has advantages and disadvantages. Please read the individual websites so you feel fully informed.

If anyone would like to consider ordering any of these products then please contact me at whit.ps1954@gmail.com (my previous email address has stopped working and I will not receive anything sent to land.p@virgin.net).

I will place the orders on 9th September (with delivery expected about a week later) so please contact me by Saturday 7th September.

Peter Stenner