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. Make a hole large enough to accommodate the item to be potted and insert it, taking care that the growing medium is at about the same height on the stem as previously. • Gently firm the SylvaGrow John Innes No.2 around the plant, water thoroughly. 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: Melcourt SylvaGrow® range is a sustainable growing medium for gardeners who are as passionate about the environment as their gardens. 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

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. Tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, aubergines, courgettes, chilli peppers and strawberries Using well-established young plants, • First, ensure that the plants to be potted have been well-watered. • Make holes large enough to accommodate the items to be potted, insert the plants and firm gently around the stem. • Water thoroughly. Take care always to avoid wetting the crowns and fruit of strawberries as this can promote disease. • Ensure that the Planter is kept evenly moist but not over-wet, at all • times. • As the first flowers appear, commence liquid feeding. If using a conventional fertilizer (non-organic) apply according to the manufacturer’s instructions (usually around every 10 -1 4 days). • If you wish to maintain the organic status of the crop, choose an organic liquid feed (preferably a Soil Association approved product). Commence feeding at three weeks after potting or when the first flowers appear if this comes first. Apply feed at every other watering, increasing to every watering once the plant is cropping. 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 Ensure that the SylvaGrow Organic 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 Until we have fully investigated these are just comments on things to look out for/consider and we may never get a definitive answer as time tends to hide the reasons.”

SylvaGrow Multi-purpose can be used as part of a raised bed medium for vegetable and strawberry growing. Simply mix 1 part SylvaGrow Multi-Purpose thoroughly with 3 to 4 parts loam or garden soil to gain a valuable addition of organic matter and nutrients. 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 is also suitable for vigorously-growing plants such as tomatoes and chrysanthemums. They often contain a different mix of ingredients to those found in multipurpose composts. These include small amounts of sand, grit or vermiculite in seed and potting composts, bark in orchid compost and mostly gravel and sand in cacti composts.

SylvaGrow Organic is not suitable for raising lime-hating, ericaceous plants in containers. For these we recommend SylvaGrow Ericaceous. Cautions Ideal for seed sowing, encouraging germination and healthy root development. Also ideal for rooting cuttings. 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 After four to six weeks, regularly apply a liquid feed, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Alternatively, at the time of potting incorporate slow-release fertilizer granules according to the

Place the Planter in a sheltered, sunny, frost-free position, either outside or in a greenhouse. IMPORTANT – Pierce drainage holes down both sides of the Planter just above ground level.

Potatoes In the upright position the Planter works very well as a potato bag. • Firstly chit the seed potatoes (place in a light, frost-free place with the sprouting end up). When the shoots are around 3cm long the tubers are ready for planting. • Remove all but around a 15cm depth of compost in the Planter and set aside in a clean, dry place. • IMPORTANT – Pierce drainage holes in the base of the Planter, just above ground level. • Plant the tubers just below the surface. As the shoots grow, gradually replace the compost, always leaving the top of the shoot well above compost level, until the Planter is full. Commence feeding once all the compost has been replaced. • If using a conventional fertilizer (non-organic) apply according to the manufacturer’s instructions (usually around every 10 -1 4 days). • If you wish to maintain the organic status of the crop, choose an organic liquid feed (preferably a Soil Association approved product). Apply feed at every other watering increasing to every watering after around 4 weeks.Cuttings • Ensure that the mother plant is well-watered before taking cuttings. • Fill a deep seed tray or pot with SylvaGrow John Innes No.1 and make a suitable hole with a dibber or pencil. • 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.