There are many different compost types available and it may seem like a daunting decision but with a little guidance it’s really very simple to make the correct decision to help your plants flourish.
The main things to consider when selecting your growing media or compost are the plants that you want to grow in it and where the plant will be growing.
Will the plant be growing in a bed or border or in a container or hanging basket?
Is the plant acid loving like rhododendrons or camellias? (Acid loving plants need an ericaceous compost to excel) or a Rose, Tree or Shrub?
Beds and Borders
When planting in beds and borders it is essential to first improve the soil structure and nutrient levels and the best way to do this is by incorporating plenty of well rotted organic matter. The best way to do this is to dig in Organic Living Green Peat Free Compost. Add some Tippland Multipurpose Compost with added John Innes to the bottom of the planting hole.
Ericaceous Plants
If your soil is acidic it means that different plants will thrive in your soil, these include most ericaceous plants such as azaleas, rhododendrons and camellias. If your soil is more alkaline then the ericaceous plants will struggle to grow in your garden unless you grow them in pots of ericaceous compost. Choose Tippland Premier Gold Ericaceous Compost. It can be used in pots for containerised plants or added to beds and borders to help plants establish.
In Containers
If you are potting Shrubs and Roses into containers, unless they are acid loving, the best option is Tippland Multipurpose Compost with added John Innes. This is specially formulated to provide the specific nutrient requirements of these plants whilst giving superior moisture control, reducing the need for watering. If you are planting Bedding or Patio Plants in pots, window boxes or hanging baskets, we recommend Tippland Triple X Seaweed Compost.
It is a good idea to add a top dressing of the appropriate compost to containers each season. This will provide extra nutrients to depleted reserves and combined with feeding and will help plants to thrive.
Propagating
If you are propagating cuttings from trees or shrubs fill large flowerpots or root trainers with a quality, gritty compost. Tippland Multipurpose Compost with added John Innes is a good choice. When they have rooted they can be re-potted into larger pots or planted out into the garden.
