Water thoroughly. We recommend using Miracle-Gro® Performance Organics Plant Food to feed your plant. These materials are mixed together and after a few months of decomposing the materials break down into a rich humus, ready for the garden. These tend to be an all purpose compost with organic plant food rather than mineral based. These organic feeds tend to release the nutrients more slowly. Ericaceous compost

As a plant begins its life, it needs the right conditions to grow. Give your seeds and very young plants a head start by potting them in a fine compost designed to allow delicate roots to explore easily. Position the plant and fill with 50% soil and 50% of Miracle-Gro® Performance Organics Peat Free All Purpose Potted Plants Compost and firm around the base. 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? Place a layer of Miracle-Gro® Performance Organics Peat Free All Purpose Potted Plants Compost in the base of the container.But what is peat? And why should we stop using it? To unravel the jargon, we've sought answers from a number of sustainable gardeners and peat-free campaigners, whilst looking at the latest regulations, whether the alternatives are up to the same standard, and if this is in fact, the future of gardening. What is peat? Don’t forget that some acid-loving plants such as azalea, camellia or rhododendron will require an ericaceous compost with a lower pH. When it comes to shop-bought compost, always buy a reputable brand so that you know the quality will be consistent and of a high standard such as Miracle-Gro or Levington. Homemade compost needs to be a rich dark brown colour and should be dry and crumble between your fingers. You know when your compost is ready as there will be no nasty smell, just a deep earthy smell. What is the best compost for beginners? 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

All purpose is generally not recommended for small seeds as often the nutrient levels can be too high although it tends to work for larger seeds like beans and sunflowers. As well as those mentioned above there are other specialist composts for plants with special tastes. Including: Peat-free compost can be used for all plants, flowers, fruits and vegetables. Not suitable for acid loving, ericaceous plants such as azaleas, rhododendrons and camellias. Bagged compost is perfect for using in pots, containers, seed trays and hanging baskets as well as for filling up raised beds. It can also be used mixed in the bottom of a planting hole with garden soil. 2. Homemade compost

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Ideal for all plants, flowers, fruits and vegetables. Works well for young plants and established plants. For containers and baskets: Place a layer of compost in the base of the pot. Tap out the plant from the old pot, loosen the root ball and place in the centre of the pot. Fill the space around the root ball, ensuring the compost level covers all the roots. Firm lightly, water thoroughly and let drain. Do choose a specialist compost for the task in hand. This will ensure you create optimum growing conditions.

From compost to plant food, weed control to lawncare, take a look at our comprehensive range of products to keep your garden healthy and happy. We offer peat free compost in a variety of flavours to suit every need, balanced fertilisers for your plants and lawn, safe-to-use plant disease, pest and weed control, and a range of lawncare products that’ll have you proud to host this summer’s barbecues. For reasons of hygiene and safety, personal grooming products, cosmetics or items of intimate clothing cannot be returned. The British Standard Institution published a specification for compost materials known as BSI PAS100 which applies across the UK. The aim of the BSI PAS100 is to try and improve confidence in composted materials among end users, specifiers and blenders. With these standards under scrutiny, many gardeners are hoping for better quality compost from peat alternatives.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. Bagged compost that is bought from a garden centre, DIY shop or supermarket is made using a different and faster process with different ingredients that produces compost ready to be used straight away, with different formulas suiting different plants as well as being weed and disease free and with varying levels of nutrients in them. These are great if you are limited on growing areas in your garden or don’t want to buy additional containers. They take up very little space and can be placed just about anywhere. You can grow all sorts of fruit, veg and herbs in these but tomatoes, aubergines, peppers and strawberries in particular work really well. These planters have a plant food mixed in that usually feeds for about 8 weeks - after then you’ll need to feed regularly with a liquid plant food. Specialist composts

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. 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. David says gardeners can play their part by using the right product for the right purpose. For instance, using specialist soil improvers (which almost never contain peat) to dig into the soil rather than composts can play a real part in reducing peat use. Unwanted Food or Drink Products - Once supply conditions are broken, there are a number of factors outside of our control that can affect the quality of a product. Therefore perishable goods such as food and drink cannot be returned. Aquacoir® technology absorbs up to 25% more water than ordinary compost, helps plants stay hydrated. How to use

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Do use any leftover compost by raking it into your existing soil around your garden as a soil improver. The UK government has announced it intends to ban the sale of all peat compost in garden centres by 2024 as part of its England Peat Action Plan. However, campaigns have begun many years prior to spread awareness of the issue to everyday gardeners and to encourage the ban of peat compost, as well as offering practical guidance on how to integrate alternatives into our growing routine. Do use fresh compost each year to pot up your existing and new plants as this minimises risk of pests and diseases being carried over. It will also provide fresh nutrients to replace those that have been used up. This compost is specially formulated to be used for growing plants that need a more acidic soil type. These plants include Rhododendrons, Camellias, heathers, Pieris, Acers as well as blueberries. If plants like these are grown in a lime-based non acidic soil (called ‘alkaline’) they will be unable to access the nutrients they need and the plant’s foliage will go yellow and have very few flowers and fruit and eventually die.