compost

[diggers11]

I am new to growing your own so i need some advice. Does it matter what compost you start your seedlings in. In my opinion it seems to be taking a long time for them to sprout. They are in a shed and cold frame no heat or is it just the weather. Last year to me they seemed to sprout quicker. I am using a peat based compost this year and is different type from last year.

[Diane]

I usually use John Innes seed compost - but, if multipurpose is on offer then I use that too. What seeds have you planted ? - some take longer to germinate. I have beetroot and spinach sprouting but my vegetable spaghetti has only just started to develop roots. Warmth does help too - this cold does slow things down so much. If you can start them off in an electric propagator it really makes a difference.

I'm not an expert - but have been growing all sorts for a long time. Some in coldframes, sometimes in the conservatory but mostly in a cold greenhouse (with fleece protection at night-time)

Hopefully a proper expert will be able to help a little more if you can tell us what you've planted.

[FelixLeiter]

So far this spring, ambient temperatures have been nothing short of catastrophic. The sun has been shy, too, but even so, if a cold frame is outside it will catch some sunshine which will bring temperatures up a little, even if it's only during the day. I doubt your choice of compost has much bearing on results so far: it's been too cold, is all.
Some seeds need more heat than others, too. What is it you've sown? Tomatoes need heat, as do peppers and aubergines, along with squashes and their ilk (courgettes and such). If they stay cold for too long, they often perish. But most other vegetables are resilient and will wait until fair weather. They may just take a little longer.