The four bags of the Westland Multipurpose Compost we tested had very low levels of fertiliser producing spindly plants that failed to grow as we’d expected. Finally, whether or not compost contains peat is a matter of interest, and contention, for many gardeners. Given that it’s such a polemic issue, you’ll find that the next section is dedicated to the pros and cons of peat-based compost. Peat vs Peat-Free Compost 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

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. A. John Innes No 2 Potting On Compost does not contain any organic elements so shouldn’t be attractive to animals

Then they tested for growing on young plants and seedlings - 20 snapdragon and 20 tomato seedlings were potted up in each compost. Again snapdragons struggle if nutrient levels are too high and tomato don't thrive if they are too low. They were grown on without feeding until the largest were ready to be planted out. All plants were rated on size, quality and leaf colour. It has good water retention as well as efficient drainage, and doesn’t compact around plants of become overly dense. Take care with fragile roots. Half fill a pot, place the plant in position and fill around the roots with compost. Gently firm the compost and water well. If you'd like more than 10 bags of compost please call our Customer Service team who can arrange for a bespoke competitive quote on 01480 774555 (standard network charges apply) Coarse sand or grit is used as a physical conditioner to allow excess water to drain from the compost and thus prevent water-logging. It also helps to provide stability for larger plants.

Young plants and seeds will take to it instantly in baskets and containers as the mix of phosphate, nitrogen and potassium support growth and roots. 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. You’ll also want a compost that releases the nutrients slowly. Generally speaking, the best multi-purpose composts will remain active for 3 – 6 months. Look for composts with slow-release granules as these can better control the speed at which they lose nutrients . This is feature is present is my top-recommended multi-purpose compost which I’ll tell you more about in a minute!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. If you’re working to a budget, this Levington Multi Purpose Compost is a low-cost option that gives you 70 L of compost. Of all the different types of compost available, general purpose compost has to be safest and easiest to work with. These multi-purpose mixes are also known as universal compost because they cater to a plethora of uses in different seasons. As the name suggest, multipurpose compost attempts to create a mixture with a pH and nutrient levels ideal for growing a broad range of plants.

A little more detail to answer the questions above - The survey appears in the current Jan/Feb 2013 Which? garden magazine. The survey was conducted from spring 2012 to find the best buy composts for growing seeds and young plants. 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). Does multi purpose compost go off? As long as your compost is kept dry and sealed, or at least covered over, it will last indefinitely. As soon as it gets wet however, nutrients start to leach out of it and it will be no good after about 6 months. Q: What is multi purpose compost used for? Dig a large hole and put some compost into it. Add a small amount of J. Arthur Bower’s Bonemeal. Place plant in the hole and spread out the roots. Mix compost with the soil removed from the hole and add this mixture around the roots. Firm gently and water well. To make a sunken or raised bed for growing ericaceous plants, remove the garden soil and replace with ericaceous compost. Yes, it is a fantastic option which will enrich your soil over a period of time. What is the difference between multi purpose and all purpose compost?http://www.gardenersworld.com/forum/fruit-andamp-veg/the-best-multi-purpose-compost-this-year/5249-2.html Lyon Greene wrote ( see) 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. The Ambassador Multi Purpose Compost is a small, 10L bag of compost that is easy to carry and store. But don’t be fooled by the small size, this plant mix can do great things. Ambassador ensured that they put in all the essential trace elements and nutrients that plants require for strong, healthy growth. The compost feeds your plants consistently for 4 to 6 weeks and retains optimum water levels even in potted plants. What I like about it: Ground horticultural-grade limestone is added to give the compost the pH most plants prefer. For lime-hating plants choose John Innes Ericaceous instead When peat is spread over the garden, its carbon content turns into carbon dioxide over time – not great news when trying to keep the release of greenhouse gasses to a minimum.

It’s important to strike the right balance between quality and affordability, otherwise the compost probably isn’t going to nourish your plants like you hope, with many cheap products not offering the same quality ingredients as others. Brands tested included Westland, Bulrush, Verve(B&Q) New Horizon, Levington, Miracle gro, Homebase, Vital Earth, Arthur Bower's

Frequently asked questions

They tested 27 widely available composts - 18 peat based, 9 peat free and asked mystery shoppers to buy them from 4 different regions in the country. The texture is relatively neutral – not too sandy or soggy, and there are some additional components included, like wood fibre. The wood fibre comes from FSC certified forests which means it’s been sustainably grown/sourced. Given its popularity for gardening, there are many multipurpose composts available, which unfortunately also means there are lots of cheap products worth avoiding! Peat-free compost also tends to be more expensive because there is more processing involved than simply digging up peat. 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