It has good water retention as well as efficient drainage, and doesn’t compact around plants of become overly dense. This year we chose to only test peat-free compost. From 2024, you will only be able to buy peat-free compost in garden centres and DIY stores when the government introduces a ban on peat composts. We firmly believe you can get great results from peat-free composts and we haven't used peat in our own trials for many years. We have also included Moorland Gold composts which use peat recovered from lakes and dams after being naturally washed from peat heathland by rainwater. A. Yes, you will get great results with this compost. Supplement with a relevant feed such as Gro-Sure Tomato Food

Use compost in a well-ventilated place; keep the greenhouse or potting shed door open and avoid breathing in dust. Watch out for reformulated compost - manufacturers frequently change the mix of ingredients they use and the fertiliser, and this is speeding up as the ban on using peat comes ever closer. We can't recommend reformulated brands because there's no guarantee the new product will perform as well as the one we tested. Always use the images above to make sure the Best Buy compost you are buying is the one we have tested.

Which? have been researching the issue, systematically. Their results are published in the January/February issue of Gardening Which. I haven't seen the full report, only a summary of their results... Suitable to use for up to six weeks, this compost retains water well and doesn’t get too compacted. It contains a combination of recycled materials to help with aeration, although it seems that the quality of these materials can vary. There may be wood, stones, and ceramic included, amongst other materials. Traditionally, a lot of composts contained peat – it’s high in nutrients and works wonders on plants. However, the negative effects of harvesting and using peat have become more evident in recent years. Old compost is often on sale - we send secret shoppers to buy our composts, who tell us if they find old compost on sale. It's a very common problem. We also know from our testing that old compost doesn't perform as well as fresh compost. To avoid this, buy bags that look new and aren't faded or heavy, which suggests they have been sitting around in bright sunshine for too long, or have been rained on regularly. The consistency of this compost makes it easy to work with. It’s very smooth, and has a fresh smell to it with a crumbly texture. The most important thing is to make sure it’s not able to dry out. In storage, ensure it’s as airtight as possible and it should last for up to a year.

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).We also test grow bags - see our round-up of the best grow bags. What are the different types of compost? Produced from high quality peats, with the addition of fertiliser, this Growmoor Multi-Purpose Compost does a great job improving the health of plants. It’s available in several sizes, from small 10 L bags up to large 80 L options. 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. 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.

Ericaceous compost is used for acid-loving plants such as azaleas, camellias and heathers when you grow them in pots. Many have a high peat content. Remember to use an ericaceous feed to keep your plants healthy. It contains nitrogen which helps leaves and shoots grow, as well as phosphate for root development and potassium to encourage flowering and fruit. All three tests are carried out by an expert at a horticultural institute, and the compost for seeds and young plants test takes place in a temperature and humidity-controlled greenhouse. The composts for containers are tested outside once the nights are frost-free. The results are compiled by an independent assessor who's an expert in compost and plant health. If you’re working to a budget, this Levington Multi Purpose Compost is a low-cost option that gives you 70 L of compost. The bacterium responsible for the potentially fatal Legionnaires’ disease has been found in some composts sold in the UK. The chances of you becoming infected are very low, but it makes sense to take the following precautions when handling compost: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. A. All Purpose soluble plant food doesn’t contain any organic elements so shouldn’t be attractive to animals For multi-purpose composts, look for a relatively even NPK ratio . This refers to the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the mix, all of which are nutrients required for plant health. Specific-use composts tend to be more expensive than multipurpose composts, but in some cases it's worth paying a little more.

Whilst a lot of composts are sold in 100 L bags, these may not be practical for some people in the garden. They can weigh anywhere from at least 25 – 30 kg. 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. Seeing as compost is made up of decayed organic material, it has a lot of great nutrients in it. The three main nutrients, which are often present in shop-bought fertilisers as well, are nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. Tub 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. Peat-free compost also tends to be more expensive because there is more processing involved than simply digging up peat.They state that although grow bags are not intended for using to raise seeds they tested them as some people do use them for this purpose as they are so cheap.