Yes I have had problems with seeds bulbs. My tomato plants are still only 7" high they were planted in April. usually have flowers my now All very dissapointing this year. Or could it be due to poor seed germination from last year?

I reckon its the compost - I've tried four different ones this year, the best was Wickes own (which doesn't say peat free) followed by an organic one, can't remember the make now, except to say it was a bit more expensive than the J. Arthur Bowyers (which was not good). Worst so far was Tesco's 20 l. multi purpose. There's a reason why nurserymen and growers still use peat based...

I found the Sainsbury's 20 litre organic peat-free multi-purpose to have a very large proportion of large wood chippings or bark which was not rotted down at all, but in fact the large plants are doing fine in it. I can't remember what I bought for seed compost.

Funnily enough I think I had a not bad peat-free compost from Lidl or Aldi (can't remember) a couple of years ago. Whether it is still any good, I don't know.

Anyway my herbs are still stuck in miniature when then would be small plants by now, like Pollyanna. I might have to plant a lot earlier next year.

I am thinking about doing a test of different composts just to try and find a good one.

That's why I bought four different ones - to be fair though, the weather conditions this year haven't been great for growing - very warm in April, cold in May, etc.