Welcome to the Garden Guru!

You will find lots of useful information on compost, composting and all things grow your own, from hints and tips to step by step how to guides on all sorts of interesting subjects.

Browse through all our garden guru's articles below to find the subject you are interested in.

If the article you are looking for is not here, just ask The Compost Shop Garden Guru and he will get back to you as quickly as possible with the answers you are looking for!

Multi Purpose Compost

High-Quality Multi-Purpose Compost for Every Gardener

Multi-purpose compost is a growing medium for pots, containers and planting out. Choose peat-based Clover 60L, peat-free RocketGro 50L or RocketGro with added John Innes 40L. Compare the blends below to find the right option for your plants.

50L · Peat-free
For pots, baskets and planting out.

RocketGro 50L product details

40L · Peat-free · Added loam
For potting on and repotting.

RocketGro with John Innes 40L details

60L · Peat-based
For seed sowing, pots and baskets.

Clover 60L product details

Compare Our Multi-Purpose Compost Range

RocketGro Organic Multi-Purpose Compost 50L

Peat-free and organic-approved · 50-litre bags. A versatile choice for pots, containers, hanging baskets and planting out in beds and borders. Choose this blend for general growing when you want a peat-free option.

View RocketGro 50L details and pack options

RocketGro Multi-Purpose with Added John Innes 40L

Peat-free and organic-approved · 40-litre bags. This blend contains added loam and is intended for potting on, repotting and mature plants. It is one multi-purpose product with added John Innes Stage 2 & 3, rather than separate traditional No.2 and No.3 recipes.

View RocketGro with John Innes 40L details or read our John Innes compost guide.

Clover Multi Purpose Compost 60L

Peat-based · 60-litre bags. Clover is suitable for seed sowing, potting on, containers and hanging baskets. Choose it if you want a traditional peat-based multi-purpose compost; it is not a peat-free alternative.

View Clover 60L details and pack options

Which Multi-Purpose Compost Should I Choose?

Pots, Containers and Planting Out

For everyday pots, hanging baskets and planting out, choose the blend that matches your plants and peat preference. RocketGro 50L is a peat-free general-purpose option; RocketGro with added John Innes 40L is designed for potting on and repotting. Clover 60L offers a peat-based alternative.

Our peat-free compost guide explains the alternatives. Compare bag volumes and the selected pack size as well as the total price when ordering.

Seeds and Acid-Loving Plants

Match the compost to the plant and its stage of growth. Clover lists seed sowing among its uses. For seeds, cuttings and tiny plugs, RocketGro recommends its specialist Seed & Cutting Compost before moving on to a multi-purpose blend.

Acid-loving plants need a different choice: see our ericaceous compost guide for plants such as blueberries, camellias and rhododendrons.

Choose Your Bags and Check Delivery

Open a product above to choose your pack size and see its current price and availability. Before placing an order, check our delivery and access information, especially if you are ordering a pallet.

Shop Multi-Purpose Compost

Customer Reviews

Read what our customers say about the difference our multi-purpose compost has made in their gardens.

Good Quality, Reasonably Priced Peat Free Compost!

Steven G.

Exceptional quality. Delivered on date and will definitely order again in autumn. Ready for next year. Thank you.

Linda R.

The Key to Successful Veg Growing

The Key to Vegetable Growing

The Importance of Good Soil and Compost for Growing Vegetables

Shop Vegetable Growing

The Secret to Sucessfull Veg Growing

Gardeners often dream of bountiful harvests, vibrant plants, and delicious vegetables straight from their garden or allotment.

While sunlight, water, and proper care play crucial roles, the unsung hero of successful vegetable gardening lies beneath the surface – the soil.

In this article, we'll explore the significance of good soil and compost in cultivating thriving vegetable gardens.

Nutrient-Rich Soil: The Key to Plant Health:

Imagine your garden soil as the foundation of a house. Just as a sturdy foundation supports a structure, nutrient-rich soil provides the essential elements that plants need to grow, develop, and produce fruits. The primary nutrients – nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium – are vital for robust plant growth. Additionally, micronutrients like iron, zinc, and magnesium contribute to overall plant health.

Good soil structure ensures adequate drainage and aeration, preventing issues like waterlogged roots or compacted soil. Loose, well-aerated soil allows plant roots to penetrate easily, access nutrients, and establish a strong foundation for growth. You can improve your existing soil in your veg garden by adding a good quality vegetable compost.

The Role of Compost: Nature's Miracle Booster:

Compost is often hailed as "black gold" among gardeners, and for good reason. It's a rich, organic material created through the decomposition of kitchen scraps, garden waste, and other organic matter. When incorporated into the soil, compost enhances its structure, fertility, and water retention capacity.

Compost acts as a natural fertilizer, providing a balanced mix of nutrients for plants. Its ability to improve soil structure promotes microbial activity, fostering a healthy ecosystem underground. The diverse microbial community aids in nutrient cycling, making essential elements more accessible to plant roots.

Water Retention and Drainage: Striking the Right Balance:

Balancing water retention and drainage is critical for vegetable gardens. Good soil absorbs and retains water while allowing excess to drain away. Compost plays a pivotal role in achieving this balance. It acts like a sponge, absorbing and holding moisture during dry periods and preventing waterlogged conditions during heavy rainfall.

A well-structured soil profile, enriched with compost, ensures that plants receive consistent moisture levels, reducing the risk of drought stress or root rot. This balance is particularly crucial for vegetables, as their water requirements vary throughout the growing season.

Improved Soil Texture: Creating an Inviting Environment:

Vegetable roots thrive in loose, well-textured soil. Compost, with its ability to break up clayey soils and add structure to sandy ones, contributes to an ideal soil texture. This improved texture not only aids root development but also facilitates the exchange of gases between the soil and the atmosphere.

As roots explore the soil, they encounter an environment enriched with organic matter from compost, encouraging healthy root growth and nutrient absorption. The result is a robust, well-established root system that supports vigorous vegetative growth and abundant fruit production.

Conclusion:

In the world of gardening, success begins with the soil beneath your feet. Good soil, enriched with the organic goodness of compost, forms the backbone of a thriving vegetable garden. By prioritizing soil health, you lay the groundwork for a season of abundant harvests, vibrant plants, and the satisfaction of growing your own delicious and nutritious vegetables. So, roll up your sleeves, nurture your soil, and watch your vegetable garden flourish. Happy gardening!

Compost vs Soil

The origin of the word Compost

Affectionately known as Black Gold, Compost has been referenced within historic texts from over 2000 years ago. The word actually derives from the old french term ‘composte’ and the latin ‘compostus’. Composte meaning to use a combination of greenery/manure to make a piece of land more fertile. And Compustus refers to a well put together compound, using several elements. So you can see how the language developed and in a way, poetically ‘composted’ to create the term we use so often today.

the definition of compost

Compost is a crumbly concoction of several completely organic materials which is created with the motive of fertilising soil.

The general and main purpose for it is to stimulate and increase the rate of plant growth, and complement the plant growth cycle.
It’s the end product of the highly ethical composting process, and the perfect version would be jam-packed with nutrients.
The materials involved decay in a natural manner, and if created properly, it's highly beneficial to the surrounding environment.
If aerated appropriately, the smell of compost is fresh and a pleasant reminder of an outdoorsy kind of life.

What is used to make Compost?

One of the known fundamentals of organic gardening, composting is fantastic for reducing your greenhouse gas emissions. Composting is also getting more and more popular as people strive to lead greener lives. It isn’t restricted to a particular season and can be done all year round with recycled waste. Substances (some needing more prep than others) which can be used in a compost bin are as follows:

Hedge trimmings
Garden leaves
Grass Clippings
Shredded Cardboard
Lime/Orange Peel
Uncooked food waste
Newspaper
Straw
Organic Manure
Dry pet food

Compost soil

The origin of the word Soil

Similar to Compost, the word soil is derived from Latin and Old French terminology. Originating from the latin word ‘solum’ (meaning ground) and the old french term ‘soeul’ (meaning location, area). There is also a more recent connection from the Anglo-French era - ‘soiller’ which is defined as making something dirty.

The definition of Soil

Soil is essentially the top layer of earth that can sustain plant life and encourage growth. And it is made up of more than just purely organic matter.

Soil is a natural composition that also includes a mixture of minerals and it is the result of millions of years of organisms living above it
With a dark brown/black colouring, it differs compared to it’s compost counterpart in that it doesn’t share an affectionate nickname - but there’s still time!
Characteristics vary soil to soil and these can be structure, texture, sustainability and consistency.
It’s classed as an ecosystem which is fluid in its aim of sustaining healthy vegetation

What can soil be used for?

As mentioned above the primary use for soil is within the agricultural industry to provide nourishment. A high volume and array of essential nutrients are provided for the plants roots which greatly aids their development. The construction industry also benefits hugely from the use of soil, so much so that it is seen as an integral part of the entire process. Buildings are supported to a higher degree and become safer as a result of the soil underneath.

Profitable hobbies are also supplemented with the use of soil such as pottery. The majority of soil contains clay, and this can be tested with the use of water and a jar. Clay soil doesn’t limit the potter to certain shapes or structures either, it keeps the options open. An industry you may not have associated with soil is medicine! It’s used to help create antibiotics and drugs which help reduce cancerous growths. And it all stems from the harmful bacteria within the soil which is used to generate antibodies, and can potentially save lives.

There’s no doubt that the importance of soil is entirely tangible.

How you can grow your own food in 2021

There’s a lot of ways even limited space can be used to grow your own food. With preparation, even paved yards can be turned into impressive gardens. Innovative methods such as vertical gardening can even turn cramped gardens into productive allotments.

Planters

By adding even small garden planters to your yard you can quickly establish a variety of small fruit trees or berry plants, herbs or even small vegetables like radishes and chives. With care and attention these smaller plants can produce a crop in a few months- perfect for introducing children to gardening.

Hanging baskets

For those with even less space, hanging baskets are an attractive and simple option that are simple and cheap to set up. Ideal for summer crops like strawberries or even cucumbers, these versatile containers also add an appealing visual aspect to homes and gardens.

Beds and borders

If you’re lucky enough to have workable space on your borders, then the range of vegetables available to you is far wider. Easy growing, ground-hugging seasonal vegetables are perfect for creating lush borders, while herbs and smaller crops can fill gaps. Be careful to create plenty of space for sunlight to reach your borders, while rotating crops to improve the chances of strong yields. Building frames for climbing veg such as beans and peas can help increase your harvests by building upwards.

Allotment

If you really want to get stuck into growing your own food, or you lack the space, you could consider an allotment. This will give you all the space you need to develop large, productive vegetable crops such as root crops, while also providing room to experiment with more diverse seasonal crops. You can also consider growing very large crops to capitalise on the available space. This would include things like squashes and rhubarb, cane-based plants like beans, or berry trees and fruit bushes.

Whatever gardening projects 2019 brings, remember that compost is key to getting the most from your soil. Whether as mulch or soil improver, quality compost makes all the difference and keeps your plants healthy all year round. If you really want to maximise yields, then using the correct compost is key. Visit our store today to discover more about the best compost for you.