Peat free compost

like you I have had mixed success. In the end I used to mix in my compost bin compost with it to improve the water retention. If I get bought multi purpose [reduced peat; the family are learning.] I mix it again with my compost to open it up.

the stuff you have looks good Sandra. and well done on expanding the business.

Yes, Sandra, we always use peat free compost. We used to be able to buy composted bark which we mixed with our own loam and grit, bonemeal as a fertilser, and it was just great. The bark, on its own, is no longer available to us so we buy peat free from the GC. As Sbg says, its quality is variable and we have to look round for a good one, currently this is 'New Horizon'. We also use a lot of leaf mould as a humus base for the above compost formula but it is not as good as the composted bark. You stuff looks good but what is local for you would cost a fortune for us to transport it.

I've tried a few different ones from the gc and the coir as you say was not a success
I do find adding the Osmocote type slow release fertiliser works very well, I put it in the grobags for the toms as well as the regular tomorite feed, seems to stop shortage of nutrient problems

thanks SBG..it is lovely stuff...
I have heard good thing about new horizon Bulbaholic
Pamg I love doing different mixes for different plants.
Whilst doing my research afternoon i found that Carmarthenshire county council is using 3 counties green waste and making compost to resell with it. They have called it merlins magic..They are only distributing it in carmarthen 40 miles away but i am going to get some of that to try too.

http://www.cwmenvironmental.co.uk/recycling/compost/

So with a pit of research maybe you can find locally produced compost as well and save on plant miles.

Peat free compost is rubbish.
No idea what you call lorry loads but I get my compost....all quality totally peat based...by the pallet load.
£150 is minimum spend. The same company also provide loads of additional professional insecticides/fungicides.

http://www.interhort.com/categories/composts_and_additives.php

and for the professional stuff

http://www.interhort.com/categories/composts_and_additives.php

Scrumpyfrah we have been using peat free compost at our nursery for over ten years. We did get some rubbish mixes in the early years but mostly its great stuff. The industry has moved on considerably over the years. I also am delighted to have found some home grown compost that makes it even more environmentally friendly. I belong to a group of family run independant nurserys in Pembrokeshire and most of us are peat free.

You only have to read the comments of people on gardening forums about the composts they have bought to know that they haven't improved.
It's also a myth that using peat is not "environmently friendly"

No idea what you sell but if it works for your plants then obviously stick with it. They'd be even better with the proper stuff.
As your plants like free draining soil I guess they are shrubs, perennials. I'd have thought John Innes would be a good bet for them.
I also make up my own composts from peat and use perlite or horticultural grit for drainage/water retention.

it was peoples opinions I was after Scrumpygrah so thank you for yours. we will have to agree to differ.