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

Product Information

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. It doesn’t matter if you’re an experienced green-thumbed gardener or just starting out with a few seeds for the first time, you’re guaranteed to get plenty of joy from spending more time with nature and nurturing your green oasis. Ideal for all plants, flowers, fruits and vegetables. Works well for young plants and established plants. Place a layer of Miracle-Gro® Performance Organics Peat Free All Purpose Potted Plants Compost in the base of the container.

David says gardeners can play their part by using the right product for the right purpose. For instance, using specialist soil improvers (which almost never contain peat) to dig into the soil rather than composts can play a real part in reducing peat use. 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. These 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 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. Although government actions, rigorous standards and campaigning for greater awareness have made much greater strides in terms of overcoming the problem of peat compost and peatland conservation, it seems gardeners are still taking matters into their own hands through home composting methods. If we are to create a fundamental change, there must be better and more reliable alternatives so there is an accessible option for all. Whichever way we look at it, the future is moving in the right direction.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 Materials such as coir (the husk of coconuts), green compost (made from garden waste) and wood fibre are all used in growing media mixes. All have different properties in terms of water retention, water distribution and nutrient provision, which means that a significant amount of scientific research and trialling has had to be undertaken to understand how these ingredients work together to provide the best possible results for gardeners. For containers and baskets: Place a layer of compost in the base of the pot. Tap out the plant from the old pot, loosen the root ball and place in the centre of the pot. Fill the space around the root ball, ensuring the compost level covers all the roots. Firm lightly, water thoroughly and let drain. 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 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.

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 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 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 plants The best compost to use in your garden will depend on what you’re planting. However, most beginner gardeners will likely start off with patio pots, hanging baskets, herbs or flowering bedding plants. For these jobs we recommend a peat free all purpose compost. For houseplants it’s always best to use a peat free houseplant compost. Which compost is best for all plants?Multi-Purpose Compost with added John Innes has added grit so is perfect for larger plants grown in containers such as smaller trees and shrubs as it adds a heavier weight and helps to prevent the compost from collapsing. Organic compost

The UK government has announced it intends to ban the sale of all peat compost in garden centres by 2024 as part of its England Peat Action Plan. However, campaigns have begun many years prior to spread awareness of the issue to everyday gardeners and to encourage the ban of peat compost, as well as offering practical guidance on how to integrate alternatives into our growing routine. 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. Don’t forget that some acid-loving plants such as azalea, camellia or rhododendron will require an ericaceous compost with a lower pH. As well as those mentioned above there are other specialist composts for plants with special tastes. Including:

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Unwanted Food or Drink Products - Once supply conditions are broken, there are a number of factors outside of our control that can affect the quality of a product. Therefore perishable goods such as food and drink cannot be returned. These are used to improve aeration and drainage in heavy clay soil and add body to light sandy soil to help retain moisture and nutrients. It also boosts the soil fertility by adding nutrients to encourage healthy foliage, flowers and root growth. Compost containing sand is specifically well-suited for seeds and young plants due to their lighter structure. This means new roots aren’t restricted or smothered by heavy soil conditions — vital for early development.