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 use any leftover compost by raking it into your existing soil around your garden as a soil improver. 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. Do choose a specialist compost for the task in hand. This will ensure you create optimum growing conditions. These dedicated composts contain what the specific plant needs and will help that plant not only survive but thrive. How do you choose the right compost for your plants? Aquacoir® technology absorbs up to 25% more water than ordinary compost, helps plants stay hydrated. How to use

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As your plant starts to grow and you can see that its roots are filling the container, it’s time to repot into a slightly bigger home (transplanting). Don’t be tempted to go too big too soon though; just a few inches bigger and be prepared to transplant a few times if needed. 2nd stage – established plants You can certainly re-use them but it’s best to tip out all of the old compost and then give your pots a clean to minimise risk of pests and disease. If you have a really large container then you can re fresh the top few inches of old compost with fresh and remember to keep feeding. Why shouldn't I use my own garden soil to pot up plants?

In 2000 almost all the material that went into compost sold to the general public was peat, and by 2020 that had fallen to around a third. The industry has made significant progress in developing peat-free and peat-reduced alternatives,' David Denny, HTA Futures & Sustainability Manager, explains. 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. These composts are based on the John Innes formulation which as well as green compost, expanded wood fibre and fertiliser, also includes top soil or loam and sand or grit. The grit or sand helps to keep the structure of the compost open, improving aeration and drainage around the roots. Multi-Purpose Compost with added John Innes has added grit so is perfect for larger plants grown in containers such as smaller trees and shrubs as it adds a heavier weight and helps to prevent the compost from collapsing. Organic compostIf 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