Yes, as the name suggests they have can be used for a variety of tasks form seed sowing to plant potting. Can I use multi purpose compost as mulch? A lot of gardeners find 50 L bags a lot more manageable, although of course they may not offer such good value for money. Expose plants to too much direct sunlight, fumes, draughts, hot air and sudden changes or extremes of temperature Take care with fragile roots. Half fill a pot, place the plant in position and fill around the roots with compost. Gently firm the compost and water well.

http://www.gardenersworld.com/forum/fruit-andamp-veg/the-best-multi-purpose-compost-this-year/5249-2.html Lyon Greene wrote ( see) Many manufacturers are attempting to lower the peat content in their compost, due to its negative impact on the environment. However, if the compost doesn’t state that it’s ‘peat free compost’ or at least ‘low in peat’, you should presume that it has a high peat content. Verve Peat Free Multipurpose Compost has three formulations. The 12L bag contains composted bark and green waste. The 20L and 50L bags also contain coir and wood fibre and the 125L is different again, this time with no coir but does contain wood fibre.Overall, it’s one of the best composts to use if you’re after value for money. It’s a good quality product, in a size that’s easy to manage, and you still get a lot for the price. It’s important to strike the right balance between quality and affordability, otherwise the compost probably isn’t going to nourish your plants like you hope, with many cheap products not offering the same quality ingredients as others.

The four bags of the Westland Multipurpose Compost we tested had very low levels of fertiliser producing spindly plants that failed to grow as we’d expected. Lime-free grit sand is included to allow excess water to drain from the compost and so prevent waterlogging. It also adds weight and provides stability for pot grown plants. A little more detail to answer the questions above - The survey appears in the current Jan/Feb 2013 Which? garden magazine. The survey was conducted from spring 2012 to find the best buy composts for growing seeds and young plants.

My Top Recommended Multi-Purpose Compost

A. John Innes No 2 Potting On Compost does not contain any organic elements so shouldn’t be attractive to animals

Multi-purpose composts contain a range of nutrients and minerals to help plants thrive. However, you should note how long the compost will continue to nourish your plant for. Most multi-purpose composts will provide nutritional value for around three months. Compost is organic material that can be added to plants to improve their health. Whilst making your own compost is a great option for reducing food waste, pre-bought bags can help anyone get started with composting. According to some customers’ experiences, this compost can deliver mixed results depending on what’s being grown – it seems that it can help broad beans, carrots and peas to thrive, but may not be as effective on tomatoes, peppers and aubergines.In contrast, Vital Earth’s Chelsea Mix All Purpose Compost had very high nitrogen levels. However this is also bad, leading to lifeless plants as high fertiliser levels cause water to be drawn out of plants’ feeding roots, damaging the roots and the plant. Containing smart release granules, this compost will only work when the growing conditions are optimal, e.g., warm and moist. This allows for the most efficient absorption of minerals, and can feed plants for an entire season – up to six months at a time. Which? have been researching the issue, systematically. Their results are published in the January/February issue of Gardening Which. I haven't seen the full report, only a summary of their results...

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. Traditionally, a lot of composts contained peat – it’s high in nutrients and works wonders on plants. However, the negative effects of harvesting and using peat have become more evident in recent years. Ericaceous compost: If you garden on neutral or alkaline soils and love acid-loving plants like rhododendrons or blueberries, choose this low-ph compost to give them just the conditions they need.J. Arthur Bower’s Multi-Purpose Compost will provide your plants with all the nutrients they need for strong healthy growth during the first 4-6 weeks. After that, feed them every 7-14 days during the growing season.