A Simple Guide to Composting
If you Google the word compost, you will find an incredible variety of garden composts are available. So how do you have knowledge of which garden compost to pick, and what to use it for? Continue reading for a quick guide to compost types.
Peat-based and peat-free garden composts
Peat-free compost use has ended up being a really big concern for gardeners recently. Of course we all wish to be environmentally-friendly, but are peat-free composts as effective? The good news is that now there are plenty of peat-free options out there that are basically as trusted as peat-based garden composts. The alternatives are typically based on loam, coconut shell, animal manure and straw or recycled waste. Recycled waste garden compost tends to be made by local authorities by composting all our food waste at extremely heats to ruin any germs and viruses, so there is a lot of it about.
Mushroom compost
Mushroom garden compost is a great peat-free garden compost, perfect for growing vegetables or as a soil improver. It usually consists of composted farming straw and animal manure, and has been used for growing mushrooms, for this reason the name. Do not fret, it will have been sterilised to remove any spores! You can't get it everywhere, but it is available from specialist garden compost providers.
Mushroom and manure compost
This is mushroom garden compost combined with straw-based animal (livestock and poultry) manure, so it's really mushroom compost with a higher proportion of straw and manure Like mushroom compost, it's an exceptional soil improver, and can be used for the majority of non-ericaceous plants. Not just does it enhance soil structure, but it adds plenty of nutrients to the soil. Again, it might not be commonly offered from garden centres, but you can buy it from specialist compost providers.
Farmyard manure.
Not precisely a garden compost as such, but a beneficial soil improver, as it adds organic matter to the soil. This is particularly excellent if you have very sandy or heavy clay soils, as it will improve the texture of the soil. You will need to make certain that the manure is well-rotted before use (you'll understand, due to the fact that well-rotted manure doesn't really smell at all).
Multipurpose compost
Usually offered in both peat-based and peat-free options, multi-purpose compost is the go-to option if you are not really sure what to buy. There is no normally agreed formula, so you can't be absolutely particular what you are getting. Some types will not be very good for growing seeds, as the particles are too big, but otherwise it will most likely work pretty well for most plants. You can buy multi-purpose garden compost at garden centres.
Soil-based composts
The best known of the soil or loam-based garden composts are probably the John Innes composts, No1, No2, and No3. These were developed by the John Innes Institute, and provide all the nutrients that plants in different stages need to grow well. Some multi-purpose composts claim to have added John Innes. There is no agreed definition of what this implies, although it seems likely that they consist of some loam and maybe some added fertiliser or nutrients.
Ericaceous garden compost
A special mix of garden compost appropriate for lime-hating plants, such as rhododendrons and azaleas, ericaceous garden compost is commonly offered from garden centres and garden compost suppliers. Best not used for plants aside from ericaceous plants though.
Topsoil
Worth including in the round-up, as it's an affordable option to compost for most functions, this is basically good quality fertile garden soil. Most plants really like it, and it can be found in numerous formulations, for example, for veggies or for basic use, and three qualities, economy, basic purpose and premium. It's a relatively economical growing medium, and can also be used to bulk out bought garden composts, or as a soil improver in its own right.
Ideally this quick guide has actually provided you a better concept of what's available from garden compost suppliers, and provided you the self-confidence to head out and buy compost with a much better understanding of what you are getting. Pleased gardening.
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