Hey folks! Super excited to join this gardening community! After renting for years, my partner and I finally got our own flat with a garden to play in. I just bought some relatively cheap compost from Wickes, and I have to say, the smell from the first bag is really off-putting. I've just potted up some seeds in it, and now I'm worried I might have made a mistake. Does the smell indicate that it's not effective? Thanks for your help!
3 Answers
From what I gather, the stink might be due to it getting wet rather than the compost itself being bad. I've experienced similar smells and noticed it mostly happens when it’s soaked. Their topsoil can do the same thing!
I've used Wickes compost before, and while it was great for the price one year, last year I ran into issues with it. It felt like there was a lot of junk mixed in—stuff like bark, sticks, and even bits of glass and plastic. It stunted my plants quite a bit. I think I'd be cautious with it again!
Well, it really depends on what the compost smells like. If it reminds you of manure, that's actually a good sign! But if it has a chemical odor, then that's a bit concerning. Always best to check what you're working with!
Totally agree! I had a similar problem with some Miracle Gro compost last year. It started off fine but ended up feeling more like wood chips with random bits in it. Just keep an eye on your plants and see how they do!