The choice of pre-bagged compost can be daunting, so here a quick guide to which compost to use for different planting jobs in the garden.
All-purpose potting compost
An all-purpose compost can be used for planting up larger pots, containers, hanging baskets and to refill or supplement borders. Premium versions come enriched with extra nutrients. Unless you are growing vegetables or flowers, which need a more specialised soil, an all-purpose compost will do the job.
Loam-based compost
John Innes compost comes in four main types, all of which have additional peat and grit for better drainage and loam for a denser texture, and they are formulated to support plants through their journey from seed to fully grown plant. There’s a special seedling variety for planting seeds, then three further varieties, each with increasing amounts of extra nutrients.
Peat or peat-free
Peat has long been regarded as ideal for planting, but we now know that using up peat reserves is bad for the environment, so you may wish to choose a peat-free compost. Most peat-free composts are excellent in terms of water retention and, because they include more wood fibre and bark, they are bulkier and offer better levels of nutrients.
Grow bags
Perfect for small-space gardening, grow bags allow you to cultivate vegetables like tomatoes, chillies and peppers without needing to dig out a bed or use valuable border space. Just pop your bag on your deck or patio next to your Lifestyle garden furniture and you can get growing right away.
Maximise your growing potential with the right compost, and channel your inner Monty Don!
