The key ingredients to look out for are nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. Broadly speaking, nitrogen helps with leaf growth, phosphate is for a strong root development, and potassium will encourage flowering and fruiting. You’ll also want a compost that releases the nutrients slowly. Generally speaking, the best multi-purpose composts will remain active for 3 – 6 months. Look for composts with slow-release granules as these can better control the speed at which they lose nutrients . This is feature is present is my top-recommended multi-purpose compost which I’ll tell you more about in a minute! Place a layer of Miracle-Gro® Performance Organics Peat Free All Purpose Potted Plants Compost in the base of the container. When peat is spread over the garden, its carbon content turns into carbon dioxide over time – not great news when trying to keep the release of greenhouse gasses to a minimum. Compost is every gardener’s friend as it promotes healthier plant and vegetable growth. It also helps to make plants more resilient, discourages weeds, pests, and disease, adds and retains nutrients, and balances soil density. While there are many types of soil improvers available on the market, compost is one of the most environmentally friendly as it doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals, which means that your soil will be more healthy as a result. You can also buy peat-free formulas which have a neutral or mildly alkaline pH.

We strongly recommend using Miracle-Gro Azalea, Camellia, Rhododendron, Ericaceous Compost for acid loving plants like Azaleas, Rhododendrons and Heather.Finally, peat bogs offer a unique and rich ecosystem for lots of animals. Once this environment is disturbed, it is extremely difficult to recover it. Due to the way peat is formed, it is very hard to recreate or restore a peat bog. Compost can often be used at many different intervals along the life of your plant, from encouraging seeds to germinate, to aiding with repotting plants, or persuading plants to flower. For reference, the 50 L bag contains enough compost to fill four large patio pots and three hanging baskets. Whilst a lot of composts are sold in 100 L bags, these may not be practical for some people in the garden. They can weigh anywhere from at least 25 – 30 kg.

Ideal for all plants, flowers, fruits and vegetables. Works well for young plants and established plants. Traditionally, a lot of composts contained peat – it’s high in nutrients and works wonders on plants. However, the negative effects of harvesting and using peat have become more evident in recent years.Water thoroughly. We recommend using Miracle-Gro® Performance Organics Plant Food to feed your plant. Containing smart release granules, this compost will only work when the growing conditions are optimal, e.g., warm and moist. This allows for the most efficient absorption of minerals, and can feed plants for an entire season – up to six months at a time. There may also be other materials present, like bits of bark or stones. This can vary from compost to compost. The inclusion of larger materials can stop the compost from becoming too compacted, and can help with drainage and aeration. However, it can also just demonstrate that the manufacturer isn’t very careful with sieving the compost, and it’s not uncommon for budget composts to have a higher density of large material. To avoid too much soil compaction, choose compost with a mixture of large and small particles in it . Wood fibres are good to look out for, acting as a natural component that will allow for soil aeration. Sometimes manufactures will use a mix of materials, including stones and ceramic, which you may or may not want in your garden.

There’s a range of peat-free compost on the market, although some gardeners feel they are not as effective as composts containing peat. Peat-free compost generally contain wood-based materials such as wood fibre, sawdust or bark. Of course, composting is also good for the planet. Creating compost at home in a compost bin is a great way to recycle kitchen and garden waste. Ingredients in Compost According to some customers’ experiences, this compost can deliver mixed results depending on what’s being grown – it seems that it can help broad beans, carrots and peas to thrive, but may not be as effective on tomatoes, peppers and aubergines.For pots and patio planters: It’s time to repot when the plant is overgrown and ‘root bound’ (densely wrapped roots). Roots are growing out of the drainage holes. The plant’s lower leaves turn yellow or drop off. The compost is faded or crusty. The consistency of this compost makes it easy to work with. It’s very smooth, and has a fresh smell to it with a crumbly texture. The most important thing is to make sure it’s not able to dry out. In storage, ensure it’s as airtight as possible and it should last for up to a year. Produced from high quality peats, with the addition of fertiliser, this Growmoor Multi-Purpose Compost does a great job improving the health of plants. It’s available in several sizes, from small 10 L bags up to large 80 L options.