Remember to supplementary feed as instructed above in ‘Potting On’ as vegetables are heavy feeders and will respond well. All types of compost (growing media) are favourable to fungus gnats, both peat-based and peat-free compost. The adults seek out the combination of warm temperatures, plenty of moisture and the presence of organic matter. The short-lived adults don’t feed but can spread plant diseases. A medium-crumbly texture - is ideal. Composts that are too fine are prone to water logging, while those that are too coarse tend to need more frequent watering. A crumbly structure will allow excess water to drain through, while holding enough water and air for roots to thrive. Ensure that the SylvaGrow is kept moist but not over-wet, at all times. Hanging baskets have a particularly high water requirement and may need watering every day in warm weather

Prepare the stem or root cuttings according to type, ensuring that they are not allowed to dry out between cutting and inserting. Dip in hormone rooting powder/liquid if usingTub and basket composts tend to be more expensive than multipurpose compost, but using a multipurpose compost with a Best Buy controlled-release fertiliser and regular watering will also give good results.

In fact, our testing shows really variable results for both cheap and expensive compost. The only way to really know what you're getting is to look at our results. Things to look for when buying compost Cuttings • Ensure that the mother plant is well-watered before taking cuttings. • Fill a deep seed tray or pot with SylvaGrow John Innes Seed Compost and make a suitable hole with a dibber or pencil. • For larger, coarser-stemmed cuttings blend up to one part potting grit with one part SylvaGrow John Innes Seed Compost. • Prepare the stem or root cuttings according to type, ensuring that they are not allowed to dry out between cutting and inserting. Dip in hormone rooting powder/liquid if using. • Insert the cutting and gently firm the medium around it. • Stem cuttings need to be in a moist environment out of direct sunlight until they have rooted so either place in a cold frame, a covered propagator or cover with polythene, using supports to prevent the polythene from touching the cuttings. Root cuttings can be placed in a cold frame or sheltered spot out of direct sunlight and can benefit from a thin layer of grit on the growing medium surface. • Once the cuttings are well-rooted they can be potted on according to the instructions above. Find out more about why you should buy peat-free compost. Is it true that I can catch Legionnaires' disease from compost? Can refer to either home-made garden compost or seed/potting compost: • Garden compost is a soil improver made from decomposed plant waste, usually in a compost bin or heap. It is added to soil to improve its fertility, structure and water-holding capacity. Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers - a wide range of commercially produced peat-free composts are available, made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir and sand, although you can mix your own. compost manufacturers have been developingan ever-increasing range of peat-free options, which are now readily available in most garden centres. Along with increasing availability, the quality of peat-free composts has greatly improved in recent years too, so if you’ve had a go with peat-free in the past and perhapshad problems, it’s well worth trying again. Stem cuttings need to be in a moist environment out of direct sunlight until they have rooted so either place in a cold frame, a covered propagator or cover with polythene, using supports to prevent the polythene from touching the cuttings. Root cuttings can be placed in a cold frame or sheltered spot out of direct sunlight and can benefit from a thin layer of grit on the growing medium surface

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Fill a deep seed tray or pot with SylvaGrow Organic and make a suitable hole with a dibber or pencil Raising young plants - we use 25 different composts to grow tomato and marigolds, sown as seed and transplanted when they have two non-seed leaves.