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 Now we’ve covered what potting compost is, and why it’s a great idea to use it for container plants, let’s take a look at options for potting compost available to buy. Is multi purpose compost OK as potting soil? Garden soil is usually too heavy and dense for containers. Worms and microorganisms do a great job of keeping it aerated when it’s in your garden, but if you put it in a pot it will become compacted. Once this happens, drainage becomes a problem. Water either runs straight off causing plants to dry out, or your plants end up sitting in a puddle which ultimately rots their roots.

Obviously, gardening in containers covers a range of different projects, including growing plants from seed, growing young plants, growing vegetables, growing established plants, and growing indoor plants. We’re going to cover each of these in this roundup of the best compost for pots. How to choose the right potting compost for garden pots and baskets With so many different types of compost to choose from, sometimes it can be a little difficult to know which is the right compost to buy for your plants. The best way to think of it is by breaking it down into the life cycle of a plant. Seeds and seedlings This Multi-Purpose Compost with John Innes can be used at any life-stage of the plant: whether it’s germinating or waiting to flower. It delivers a good mix of nutrients and is suitable to be used for up to five weeks. Overall, this is one of the best composts featured if you want a good combination of larger and smaller particles in your compost. These can help with drainage and stop the compost from compacting. With this Westlands option, it’s also nice to know that FSC certified wood is used.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. Don’t forget to always follow the compost label instructions. Frequently asked questions about compost How do you know if compost is good quality? Carnivorous plants have evolved to cope with low-nutrient environments such as peat bogs and require specialist composts; standard houseplant compost will kill them. The precise compost required will depend on the genera of the plants you are growing. If you want your indoor plants to be healthy and thrive for years to come, selecting the right houseplant compost is vital. Potting your houseplant in the wrong growing media can lead to it becoming unhealthy, or even dying. If you’re growing vegetables in pots and want to use peat free compost (and here’s why you should), the easy option is to choose multi-purpose potting compost.

You can also add garden compost to used potting compost to top up the nutrients. As well as being a great way to practice eco-friendly gardening, this can also help you to garden on a budget. Is topsoil better than compost for pots? Seedlings thrive in light compost that allows their small stems to push through easily. This peat-free John Innes compost is enriched with coir, loam and vermiculite for optimum texture, plus balanced nutrients to support germination and growth. * Dalefoot fine wool seed compost 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 Bagged compost is perfect for using in pots, containers, seed trays and hanging baskets as well as for filling up raised beds. It can also be used mixed in the bottom of a planting hole with garden soil. 2. Homemade compostInevitably, the compost in a pot will eventually become exhausted and no longer able to provide enough nutrients for the plants. At this point, it’s time to refresh or replace the compost. Fertilser - The compound fertiliser in John Innes Compost provides a wide spectrum of plant nutrients needed for balanced growth, including :- Nitrogen (for top growth Phosphates - for root growth) - Potash (for flowering and fruiting & Trace Elements for optimal growth, colour and flavor. Westland BIO3 is a revolutionary new peat alternative engineered to out perform all peat-based blends.