Gro-sure 11200018 All Purpose Compost with 4 Months Plant Feed, 10 Litre - Dark

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Quality isn't guaranteed - our compost trials reveal which composts are consistently good and which can be variable. Choose a Best Buy to be sure you're buying a reliable compost. Compost can often be used at many different intervals along the life of your plant, from encouraging seeds to germinate, to aiding with repotting plants, or persuading plants to flower. Brands tested included Westland, Bulrush, Verve(B&Q) New Horizon, Levington, Miracle gro, Homebase, Vital Earth, Arthur Bower's The best compost will provide all the nutrients and support needed for seeds and veg to grow and thrive, while the worst will leave you with meagre crops and feeble plants.

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. 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. 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.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. Now you have the facts, you can make your own informed decision about compost. How Much Compost to Buy

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. Choose container with adequate drainage holes. Place layer of grit in container and fill with compost. For hanging baskets, line basket with moss or liner and fill with compost Multi-purpose composts contain a range of nutrients and minerals to help plants thrive. However, you should note how long the compost will continue to nourish your plant for. Most multi-purpose composts will provide nutritional value for around three months. We test compost for three different tasks; sowing seeds, raising young plants and for use in containers. Hold seedling by the leaves to avoid damage and gently tease the roots from the compost, using a dibber or pencilThere’s a range of peat-free compost on the market, although some gardeners feel they are not as effective as composts containing peat. Peat-free compost generally contain wood-based materials such as wood fibre, sawdust or bark.

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. 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 A lot of gardeners find 50 L bags a lot more manageable, although of course they may not offer such good value for money. 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.

My Top Recommended Multi-Purpose Compost

For reasons of hygiene and safety, personal grooming products, cosmetics or items of intimate clothing cannot be returned. 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... It contains nitrogen which helps leaves and shoots grow, as well as phosphate for root development and potassium to encourage flowering and fruit.