Miracle-Gro Premium All Purpose Compost, PEAT FREE, 40 Litre

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These dedicated composts contain what the specific plant needs and will help that plant not only survive but thrive. How do you choose the right compost for your plants? When it comes to shop-bought compost, always buy a reputable brand so that you know the quality will be consistent and of a high standard such as Miracle-Gro or Levington. Homemade compost needs to be a rich dark brown colour and should be dry and crumble between your fingers. You know when your compost is ready as there will be no nasty smell, just a deep earthy smell. What is the best compost for beginners? These are great if you are limited on growing areas in your garden or don’t want to buy additional containers. They take up very little space and can be placed just about anywhere. You can grow all sorts of fruit, veg and herbs in these but tomatoes, aubergines, peppers and strawberries in particular work really well. These planters have a plant food mixed in that usually feeds for about 8 weeks - after then you’ll need to feed regularly with a liquid plant food. Specialist composts Bagged compost is perfect for using in pots, containers, seed trays and hanging baskets as well as for filling up raised beds. It can also be used mixed in the bottom of a planting hole with garden soil. 2. Homemade compost Do choose a specialist compost for the task in hand. This will ensure you create optimum growing conditions.

Don’t forget to always follow the compost label instructions. Frequently asked questions about compost How do you know if compost is good quality? In 2000 almost all the material that went into compost sold to the general public was peat, and by 2020 that had fallen to around a third. The industry has made significant progress in developing peat-free and peat-reduced alternatives,' David Denny, HTA Futures & Sustainability Manager, explains. Let’s have a look at the different types of composts available to buy and what goes in them. Peat Free All Purpose (or Multi Purpose) Compost Ideal for all plants, flowers, fruits and vegetables. Works well for young plants and established plants. This compost is specially formulated to be used for growing plants that need a more acidic soil type. These plants include Rhododendrons, Camellias, heathers, Pieris, Acers as well as blueberries. If plants like these are grown in a lime-based non acidic soil (called ‘alkaline’) they will be unable to access the nutrients they need and the plant’s foliage will go yellow and have very few flowers and fruit and eventually die.If you don’t have acidic soil then I would always recommend growing these plants in a container filled with ericaceous compost and to use a specially formulated ericaceous feed. Loam and soil based composts

But what is peat? And why should we stop using it? To unravel the jargon, we've sought answers from a number of sustainable gardeners and peat-free campaigners, whilst looking at the latest regulations, whether the alternatives are up to the same standard, and if this is in fact, the future of gardening. What is peat? Bagged compost that is bought from a garden centre, DIY shop or supermarket is made using a different and faster process with different ingredients that produces compost ready to be used straight away, with different formulas suiting different plants as well as being weed and disease free and with varying levels of nutrients in them. As your plant starts to grow and you can see that its roots are filling the container, it’s time to repot into a slightly bigger home (transplanting). Don’t be tempted to go too big too soon though; just a few inches bigger and be prepared to transplant a few times if needed. 2nd stage – established plantsThese tend to be an all purpose compost with organic plant food rather than mineral based. These organic feeds tend to release the nutrients more slowly. Ericaceous compost

The For Peat's Sake campaign was launched in 2019 when it became clear that the latest of the government's deadlines to remove peat from horticulture was going to be missed. The campaign urges growers to go peat-free and they support this with hands-on advice on how to do so. NOTE: We strongly recommend using Miracle-Gro® Peat Free Premium Azalea, Camellia & Rhododendron, Ericaceous Compost for acid loving plants like Azaleas, Rhododendrons and Heather. Where to use Plants still need to be transferred to a pot with more room so that root systems continue to spread throughout their life. This helps build strong foundations, anchoring the expanding growth above ground. Even though the plants are better established, there’s plenty more development to go, so the right nutrients are essential to keep growth healthy.With so many different types of compost to choose from, sometimes it can be a little difficult to know which is the right compost to buy for your plants. The best way to think of it is by breaking it down into the life cycle of a plant. Seeds and seedlings The British Standard Institution published a specification for compost materials known as BSI PAS100 which applies across the UK. The aim of the BSI PAS100 is to try and improve confidence in composted materials among end users, specifiers and blenders. With these standards under scrutiny, many gardeners are hoping for better quality compost from peat alternatives. Do use any leftover compost by raking it into your existing soil around your garden as a soil improver. Compost is used to help improve soil texture, aid soil fertility as it is rich in nutrients and it also contains healthy bacteria that improves the soil health What types of compost are there?

Exceeds stringent regulations and is suitable for use in areas where children and pets have access. How to use Containers and baskets Place a layer of Miracle-Gro® Performance Organics Peat Free All Purpose Potted Plants Compost in the base of the container. Do use fresh compost each year to pot up your existing and new plants as this minimises risk of pests and diseases being carried over. It will also provide fresh nutrients to replace those that have been used up. Gardening is great for your health – both mental and physical. Whether it’s an indoor jungle of houseplants, a windowsill herb garden, an allotment or a patio and sweeping lawn, we’ve got everything you need to have success with what you grow.

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All purpose is generally not recommended for small seeds as often the nutrient levels can be too high although it tends to work for larger seeds like beans and sunflowers. Don’t sow seeds in standard all purpose compost. For best results use a specialist seed compost that provides for optimum root growth and provides the right plant food to help them develop. These materials are mixed together and after a few months of decomposing the materials break down into a rich humus, ready for the garden. From compost to plant food, weed control to lawncare, take a look at our comprehensive range of products to keep your garden healthy and happy. We offer peat free compost in a variety of flavours to suit every need, balanced fertilisers for your plants and lawn, safe-to-use plant disease, pest and weed control, and a range of lawncare products that’ll have you proud to host this summer’s barbecues. Don’t forget that some acid-loving plants such as azalea, camellia or rhododendron will require an ericaceous compost with a lower pH.