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

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Formed over thousands of years, peat is degraded plant material that is found in peat bogs and other landscapes across the UK. Peat bogs act as a carbon sink and can be valuable habitats for wildlife. For reasons of hygiene and safety, personal grooming products, cosmetics or items of intimate clothing cannot be returned. 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. But what is peat? And why should we stop using it? To unravel the jargon, we've sought answers from a number of sustainable gardeners and peat-free campaigners, whilst looking at the latest regulations, whether the alternatives are up to the same standard, and if this is in fact, the future of gardening. What is peat?

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. 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 On a homemade level, garden compost is a mix of green and brown materials that have been decomposed over a matter of time depending on the materials and the size and type of composting facility. 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.Hollow wood fibres ensure the optimum balance of air and water in the soil. How to use Containers and baskets

Compost is every gardener’s friend as it promotes healthier plant and vegetable growth. It also helps to make plants more resilient, discourages weeds, pests, and disease, adds and retains nutrients, and balances soil density. While there are many types of soil improvers available on the market, compost is one of the most environmentally friendly as it doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals, which means that your soil will be more healthy as a result. You can also buy peat-free formulas which have a neutral or mildly alkaline pH.These materials are mixed together and after a few months of decomposing the materials break down into a rich humus, ready for the garden. 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.

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 Ideal for all plants, flowers, fruits and vegetables. Works well for young plants and established plants. Don’t forget to always follow the compost label instructions. Frequently asked questions about compost How do you know if compost is good quality?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. Let’s have a look at the different types of composts available to buy and what goes in them. Peat Free All Purpose (or Multi Purpose) 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.

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. Don’t forget that some acid-loving plants such as azalea, camellia or rhododendron will require an ericaceous compost with a lower pH. The British Standard Institution published a specification for compost materials known as BSI PAS100 which applies across the UK. The aim of the BSI PAS100 is to try and improve confidence in composted materials among end users, specifiers and blenders. With these standards under scrutiny, many gardeners are hoping for better quality compost from peat alternatives. 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?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 Do choose a specialist compost for the task in hand. This will ensure you create optimum growing conditions.