Of course, the big benefit it being multipurpose means that its probably going to be fine for most plants even if the pH requirement is off a little – some plants may not thrive as much as they could with a specific compost but the multipurpose won’t kill them. Volume Use compost in a well-ventilated place; keep the greenhouse or potting shed door open and avoid breathing in dust. Container compost (sometimes called potting mix) is what you’ll use for anything you plan to keep in a container; usually houseplants but occasionally potted plants outside, too. Lighter in texture than garden compost, it’s not designed to improve the soil around it. Just to make it more complicated, there are plenty of variants of these potting composts, too, even if they’re in a different field to garden compost. 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. Thankfully, there are many peat-free composts that offer the same versatility without the harmful impact on the environment. Most of these work just as effectively as products with peat, so if you are an eco-conscious gardener be sure to look out for these. pH

The Miracle-Gro 119761 All Purpose Compost is suitable for use in all areas of the garden, adding nutrients to flower beds, hanging baskets, pots and containers. It’s available in either a 40 L or 50 L bag and offers great value for money. Ericaceous compost is used for acid-loving plants such as azaleas, camellias and heathers when you grow them in pots. Many have a high peat content. Remember to use an ericaceous feed to keep your plants healthy. We link each grow bag to an automatic watering system, so all the bags receive the same amount of water, and we feed those that require it with a liquid fertiliser. Some of our bags already contain enough fertiliser to last through our trial. Water regularly so the bag doesn’t dry out. In hot weather, this may need to be up to three times a day.

Grow the healthiest and strongest plants possible with our pick of the best seedling, peat-free and multipurpose composts

Those with more fertilizer tend to last for several months before you need to add your own fertilizer to the plant, making them more convenient, although it often increases the price too. Similarly, if the compost can retain water more efficiently it’s very convenient but probably more expensive. Peat Content For instance, seedlings tend to prefer more acidity, so if you are growing lots of seedlings then make sure that the compost pH is closer to acidic than alkaline. 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.

The top scoring peat-free compost was as good as the professional peat and two more were almost as good.Use straight from the bag, it's as easy as that. When filling or potting, firm lightly. Keep the compost moist and do not let it dry out. Do not leave plants standing in water. Storing Levington John Innes Seed Compost from one year to another may result in the fertiliser ratios becoming unbalanced. Ideal for final potting of ericaceous or acid loving plants like azaleas, rhododendrons or heathers. Specially developed, with a unique combination of 14 vital minerals for maintaining plants growth and health. With its traditional mix of loam, peat and grit, Levington Peat FreeEricaceous Compost with added John Innesprovides the perfect structure for your plants roots, feeding for 6 weeks. How to use For reference, the 50 L bag contains enough compost to fill four large patio pots and three hanging baskets. Tub and basket composts are formulated to give the right conditions for pots of summer bedding to grow well. Using compost helps improve the condition of the soil, and help with pH i mbalances. It also works to maintain moisture levels and boost the general health of plants.