Which compost to use?

lbt_2

Hi

I have quite a few things I want to try and grow this year (potatoes, garlic, raspberries, blackcurrants etc) but I am not sure what compost I need for them.

I have loads of gardening books but none of them specify which compost to use.

Does anyone know of a good website that gives info on what compost to use and which feed is required? Or is there some way that I can work it out myself?

Thanks

EDIT: Sorry, should have said that everything I am growing is in hanging baskets or pots which is why I need to buy the compost.

mum_of_4

well some might say buy a good container or hanging basket compost but the cost is higher.

I've always used a multi purpose compost ot the tomato grow bags. The grow bags are great for tomatos,peppers,cucumbers and any salad crops. You'll need to water them more often than when grown in a soil bed.

Over the years I've never had a problem always done well

A._Badger

The thing you need to bear in mind is the amount of time a plant will be in this compost.

For something short-lived, like a potato, a good quality multipurpose should do, but fruit bushes, for example, are going to remain potted for quite a few years.

A job like that calls for a soil-based compost ideally, and I'd recommend a John Inness type - probably JI 3 for fruit. Be careful here, though, as the quality varies. John Innes is a formula and though all the compost manufacturers are supposed to stick to it, I suspect the quality of the loam they use varies. I've recently moved to Levington JI seed compost and I must say it seems very good.

As for the umpteen varieties of multipurpose, I read someone here recently saying that Homebase's is currently supposed to be good. For many years, B&Q's was highly regarded but I bought some last year (having used it on and off for over a decade) and I'd suggest the quality is not what it was - it's very twiggy now, judging from the sample I bought.

There are no sites I'm aware of that rate compost, so all you have to go on are comments on forums like this and the other gardening sites.

If you can't find any recmmendations you trust, I'd suggest either stick to a big brand (they have alot to looe) like J. Arthur Bowers or Levngton, or buy some small bags and see which you thnk is the best.

Finally, don't forget to feed! Even JI 3 will be exhausted at some point (multipurpose, far faster) and you will either need to incorporate some slow-release granules, or use a liquid feed.

Hope that helps!

lbt_2

To be honest, because I am fairly new to gardening, I don't really know what the bigger brands are . Our local garden centre sells quite a few different varieties of the Westland brand but I am not sure how that compares to other brands.

I will have a look round and see what other varieties and brands there are.

Thanks

Davesnave

Frankly, they are all less than satisfactory without adding some topsoil, sand &/or gravel in varying amounts to give a bit of 'body,' or increase drainage, but the exact proportions, while not critical, vary according to what you are growing. Something like salad leaves is going to be a lot less fussy than a fruit bush, as A. Badger says.

You can get away with almost anything in a growbag, and if you look at what goes into them, you'll see manufacturers do! They are OK for spuds but not long term things, like blackcurrants.

Don't worry too much. Experiment with various mixes and see what you think.
I would use a slow release fertilizer at the rate recommended on the box & then feed a bit extra to that with higher potash soluble stuff as the fruit is forming.

I've used B&Q compost as a basis for years. It isn't B&Q compost when I've finished with it though! It varies a lot, so one bag isn't always the same as the next. There's more wood waste in most compost now, as the makers try to cut down on the amount of bog peat used.

If you have Westland at your local outlet, that is fine.