Ok - that definitely clarifies things a little bit and I have heard him mentioning using "bought compost" before.

However, there are at least several episodes that start out with him sowing seeds in what he says is "homemade compost" from his Homeacres farm. When you look at the stuff, it doesn't have any vermiculite or perlite in it. You can see some wood chips and he even says he sifts the compost coarsely. In fact, when he does an experiment with lettuce seeds, he uses homemade compost on one side and then adds vermiculite the compost on the other side. The point he was making there is that the lettuce roots need more air, so germination is better with vermiculite or perlite.

I don't know. Maybe I should reach out to Charles and ask him lol

Thanks for the clarification on the multiple meanings of "compost"!

Can you post a link to an episode where he uses 'home made compost' for sowing. I might be able to clarify further.

Although one can buy seed sowing compost, personally, I see no reason why you couldn't use homemade compost from the heap to sow seeds, providing it has the right texture.

Sure thing!

https://youtu.be/fTYIr4XitmA

Interesting discussion but the truth of the matter is that Mother Nature doesn't even know what compost or vermiculite or perlite or such are. She just drops her seeds wherever they may fall when carried by wind or birds or insects and things grow. She also doesn't worry about whether it is sterilized or not.

I have seen many youtube videos (including Charles Dowding whom I watch a lot) that subscribe to either sterile soil-less mixes AND full fertile compost based mixes and they ALL seem to work to some degree or other. I think what it all boils down to is that you have to give them a go and see what works for the particular seeds you have.

I am just starting this whole experiment myself and am trying both to see what works for me. So whatever you try - good luck and let us know what works best for you!

Bruce - I do agree with you about seeds not being pampered the way we tend to do as gardeners. I suppose nature is a minimalist and we tend to use a lot of excess in order to get those monster yields.

Sterilization I can understand, since Mother Nature has all the time in the world, but we don't want a disease to wipe out our potential plants in a given year. We do work hard on them!

I do know that some companies use compost as a base for their mixes, like Vermont Compost Company. I love their Fort Vee mix, but getting access to it isn't easy for me. I have to get it shipped, which costs way too much in the end. I suppose if you control the ingredients and the whole breakdown process, you can get a consistent product like they do.

I will be experimenting myself, with my own aged compost. Thanks so much for your input, Bruce, and good luck to you as well!

I looked at the video and yes, he's using homemade compost. I don't see any problems with that. He's sowing in cool temps, not under lights, not indoors and with lots of air circulation. I see no reason to worry about diseases with well decayed compost under those conditions. I use bought compost for seed sowing in modules but only for convenience since I do my sowing at home while most of my compost heaps are at the allotment. I've never concerned myself with sterile composts.

I've added mushroom manure which is also called mushroom compost for seedlings. This product has been used to grow two crops of mushrooms although I believe they add fresh manure to the second batch. It's said they compost it and steam it twice. If I'm repotting seedlings I've put a layer of this between two layers of peat. I've also used it as a tea in my 1020 trays. And it is wonderful to cover grass seed with.

Floral - thanks for the insight. Maybe I'll even go as far as to get the finished compost tested first.

John - I've been very intrigued by mushroom compost. How is that produced? Do you just introduce the spores to the pile and let them break it down?