This has been a question many have asked and today we will discuss in detail the compose that is best for potting. You will find two types, soilless and soil-based. Soil-based composition is designed to be more like loamy soil. Compost that is soil-based is an excellent choice because it is nutrient-rich and it also retains sufficient moisture. These soils are also heavy and dense making drainage difficult and they do not make a good bed for seedlings as well as containers that include hanging baskets.
Peat free or Peat Compost
Compost was always peat-based, it is organic matter that is high in nutrients that you would find in peatland. However, there has been a recording of a decrease in wildlife habitats that you would find in peat bogs along with certain ethical issues end reducing the usage of it in gardening. Recently I read an article that said that the UK government has made an announcement of a ban on peat composts, this should happen by 2024.
There’s nothing to worry about because as of now you can purchase compost mixes based on the compost bark, green manure, or coir and also wastes from parks that are peat-free.
I can say we are already ahead with compost at a speed free from cutting and seed compost to veg and fruit specialist types that also include grow bags.
Potting compost
If you’re a newcomer to gardening, I’m sure you must be totally surprised with the numerous ways and kinds of potting compost available in the market and I’m sure you must be wondering about the difference between each of them.
Potting compost is a medium that is utilized to grow your plants in containers and pots. I can say that it is your homemade compost, because even that can get the job done. I have noticed that people prefer to purchase compost especially for planting in pots because it tends to have a good balance in nutrients. However, which one should you purchase?
Multi-purpose/all-purpose compost
This is what people prefer to utilize while potting and I also feel that it is very reliable for the majority of plants. However, I would like to caution you that every all-purpose composition is not alike even if it comes from a similar manufacturer. If you learn more about them, they are actually peat-based however, manufacturers are definitely trying to reduce its use. So, you would definitely find a change every year as they are actively working on improving and making it more effective. I must say that if you are planning to grow seeds then this soil will not support it because the particles in the soil are a tad bigger than preferred and they also tend to dry out quickly.
I would suggest an excellent alternative, a compost that is loam-based. They definitely have a good balance and would support your plants in the pots to grow greener and healthier. Of course, if you check the prices, they are a tad more expensive in comparison to the multi-purpose compost. However, I do think it would offer you value for your money.
That’s all for this article folks and I do hope that these few tips will definitely help you grow your greens in your pots healthier. Thank you for stopping by, see you all soon!