Compost

Compost: it’s just rotted matter, right, just garden waste, broken down and fed back to the garden? We have a blog post dedicated to creating your own compost (click here if you missed it), but what if one has neither the time nor the space? Ready-made compost has been around for many years, and it is, essentially, the same as the stuff you’d create at home: rotted matter. Why, then, are there so many varieties to choose from? Yes, there are different suppliers, and yes, Seed & Cutting compost is for seeds and cuttings, and Tree & Shrub is the best option for those plants, but what makes them different? Why are they needed when you can seemingly cover all plant needs with All-Purpose or Multi-Purpose compost? Should we by buying gro-bags? And, what on earth is the difference between John Innes No 1, John Innes No 2 and John Innes No 3? We took a closer look at the selection of nature’s own fertiliser stocked here at Brookside to make the whole process a little easier to navigate…

Boost Peat-Free Compost
This particular all-purpose compost is best suited to pots, baskets and hanging baskets. Peat free, it’s enriched with feed for young plants, with moisture-retaining granules that store water, and further technology that helps it spread more effectively; it also includes wood fibres that help to prevent the compost drying out. This compost does exactly what it says on the tin!

Ericaceous Compost
Just as some plants prefer full sun and some prefer shade, there are differences in soil preferences too. The pH of your soil will depend on many factors, and it’s worth testing it if you’re looking to add several plants to your garden. Acid-loving plants – Rhododendrons, Magnolias, Pieris, to name a few – are classed as ‘ericaceous’ and require a pH below 7; ericaceous compost will generally have a pH of 4.5-6, and along with the necessary acid to allow these plants to thrive, it generally contains nutrients, sulphur to maintain the pH level, grit or perlite to aid drainage and sometimes, peat moss to help retain moisture and assist in creating acidity.

Jack’s Magic
Jack’s Magic is a great multi-purpose compost. Like Boost, it contains Westland’s water-retaining technology to enhance the preservation of moisture, and it’s classed as a traditional compost, so it naturally contains the nutrients your plants need; it’s been enriched with seaweed too, and that aids seed germination, root development and flowers, fruits and vegetables. Feeding plants for the first 4-5 weeks without any additional fertiliser, it really is a good all-rounder.

John Innes No 1
This is the compost for young plants, with a blend of nutrients designed to give them the best possible start, with zinc for healthy growth. Peat free, the 28L bags contain Carbon Gold biochar, a fine grade, highly porous, enriched charcoal that improves both plant and soil health by increasing moisture retention and releasing nutrients when needed, holding them in the soil for longer whilst also creating a stable environment that encourages beneficial microorganisms; with added grit and sand for better drainage, the biochar also captures carbon, making it a better choice for the environment and young plants. 

John Innes No 2
Once your plants have grown and are a little more established, John Innes No 2 is the compost you need. Like No 1, it’s peat-free and contains Carbon Gold Biochar to promote water and nutrient retention whilst preventing the release of carbon. Potassium humate in the compost assists the biochar as well as the growth of roots and shoots; the same grit and sand of No 1 help prevent waterlogging.

John Innes No 3
Have established plants? Then John Innes No 3 is the compost for them. Once again, it contains the Carbon Gold Biochar technology to improve aeration, provide appropriate nutrients and enrich the soil. The blend of nutrients is specifically designed for mature plants, with the feed formulated to support them for at least 4 months, and of course, it’s peat-free.

John Innes Seed
If you’re growing your plants from seed, John Innes Seed is a fine compost, enriched with vermiculite for quicker and more reliable germination. Whilst it contains the right nutrients for seedlings, there’s a lower level to prevent damage to sensitive roots. Sand, once again, improves drainage, and the compost is formulated to retain moisture around the seeds, feeding them for the first 3 weeks. You can use JI Seed wherever you sow you seeds to give them the best possible start.

Rose
It doesn’t need much clarification, but it is peat-free, and it has a slow-release feed that lasts for 6 months. Added sulphur boosts your rose’s ability to tolerate blackspot, whilst zinc complex encourages growth, photosynthesis and general health of the plant, protecting it from pests and disease.

Seed & Cutting
Not too dissimilar to John Innes Seed. The same low-nutrient content protects new roots, and the fine texture makes growth easier. Perlite is used for aeration and drainage, and this compost works equally well for seeds or cuttings, whether you’re growing flowers, fruit or vegetables and wherever you decide to grow them.

Tomato Planter
Of course, tomato plants will grow anywhere you plant them, but planters or ‘gro-bags’ are an easy option that do a lot of the work for you. Available in 2 sizes, New Horizon Tomato Planters are also peat-free and contain Westland’s BIO3 formula, along with tomato feed that lasts for up to 6 weeks. They’re 100% sustainable, and though marketed for tomatoes, they’re actually formulated for all vegetables, providing nutrients from the start.

Tree & Shrub
Another slow-release feed formula that lasts for 6 months and is also peat-free. The zinc complex and biochar promote growth and plant health whilst providing good water retention and immunity from pests and disease, encouraging photosynthesis and the production of the plant growth hormone auxin, responsible for transporting water and nutrients around plant. 

Compost can be the difference between successful gardening and disaster; get it right, and your plants will reward you with a whole season of colour; get it wrong… well, now there’s no reason to get it wrong!