J. Arthur Bowers Multi-purpose Compost 2 x 50L Bags (100L)

Product Information

When it comes to compost, one of the most important things is to make sure that it contains a good balance of nutrients. It contains nitrogen which helps leaves and shoots grow, as well as phosphate for root development and potassium to encourage flowering and fruit. That being said, multi purpose compost is generally suitable for all plants – it may not be their favourite, but it will not kill them off. Q: How long does multi purpose compost last?

Multi purpose compost is very forgiving! It can be used for seeding and potting on too, though you might wish to add some fertiliser to plants which are going to be living in it for the rest of their lives. Q: Can multi purpose compost be used for indoor plants?Store your John Innes compost from one season to another as the nutrient content may become unbalanced It has good water retention as well as efficient drainage, and doesn’t compact around plants of become overly dense.

This varies from compost to compost; there are different types of multi purpose compost – those which contain more or less peat, or loam, or that which is designed specially for seedlings. If you know that you have a plant that likes acidic soil, or one that grow best in alkaline conditions, your best bet is to buy a pH testing kit and test your soil that way. Verve Peat Free Multipurpose Compost has three formulations. The 12L bag contains composted bark and green waste. The 20L and 50L bags also contain coir and wood fibre and the 125L is different again, this time with no coir but does contain wood fibre.There is also some peat in the mix, which more and more gardeners are looking to avoid; however, it is considered a ‘reduced peat’ compost, so they have gone to measures to keep the peat content down. Peat Free: is a more environmentally friendly alternative to conventional peat-based compost, using substitutes such as recycled green waste, coir or composted bark. Fine for all general garden uses, including containers. 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. They then tried to raise 12 pots of marigolds and basil seeds from each compost ( 3 from each bag bought from the 4 different areas in the country) Apparently basil does not germinate well if there is a high level of dissolved nutrients in the compost and marigolds will not thrive if the nutrient levels are too low! They counted germinated seeds and the size and quality of the seedlings.

All of the composts above, with the exception of Gro-Sure’s and Westland’s, will be reformulated next year. 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. J. Arthur Bower’s Multi-Purpose Compost contains nitrogen (N) for green leaf and shoot growth, phosphate (P) for strong root development and potassium (K) for an increase in flowers and fruit. It also contains trace elements to promote plant health and disease resistance. 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. Most universal composts contain a traditional blend of green compost, lime, peat, and materials like bark or wood bits. Cheaper brands will usually add in lots of bark and wood which can be a problem for delicate seeds i.e. leek and carrots. However, you can always sieve out the large bits for your seed bed. ii. Proper Storage

My Top Recommended Multi-Purpose Compost

Peat-free compost also tends to be more expensive because there is more processing involved than simply digging up peat. It can be used at any stage of a plant’s development, including seed sowing, and the large bag is sufficient for filling approximately 70 small pots (12 cm diameter), or 14 medium pots (22 cm in diameter).