Compost

Recycling garden waste into compost is a valuable excerise to restore to the soil what your plants have taken out and to improve the moisture retention and texture of the soil. Almost all green waste can be composted including fresh kitchen scraps. Cooked meats and processed food will encourage vermin and so should be avoided as should animal excrement and citrus fruits.

There are various containers available for composting or you could try your hand at building one yourself. Prices vary immensley according to their construction and size and so it is wise to shop around and find the best product for your needs.

Written by Day Lily on 2007/02/11 | Permalink to this article

Compost Articles

This is where you as a member can contribute your advice and knowledge for the benefit of everyone. If you have some knowledge or advice you would like to share about compost or any gardening subject then you can use our submit an article page

Written by Day Lily on 2007/02/11 | Permalink to this article

Basic additives

Vermiculite

This used in composts to help lighten compost mixes and increase its water retention. It can also be used on its own for the propagation of cuttings.

It looks and feels like gold metallic polystyrene and is made from an expanded mica and is very lightweight. Vermiculite can be purchased in bags from most Garden Centres.

Perlite

Made from expanded volcanic rock granules Perlite is used in compost mixes to increase its water retention and to improve aeration of the soil.

It looks like crushed polystyrene and is white in colour. Perlite can be purchased in bags from most Garden Centres.

Horticultural Grit

Available in various sizes (grades) Horticultural Grit is used to improve drainage and aeration. Often used for alpines, and in herb beds.

It looks like small gravel and can be purchased from most Garden Centres.

Horticultural Sand

Used to make compost lighter and more open in texture. Is often combined with grit to create light free draining compost.

Pale coloured sand available in small bags from most Garden Centres.

John Innes 1,2 and 3

John Innes is blended compost to three different ‘recipes’ tailored for three different growing purposes.

• John Innes No1 is low in fertilizer and sow is most suitable for using with seedlings and with plants that do not have high nutrient needs.
• John Innes No2 has twice the amount of fertilizer and limestone as No1 and is suitable for the general growing of plants.
• John Innes No3 contains three times the amount of fertilizer and limestone as No1 and is used for the growing of nutrient hungry plants as well as trees and shrubs.

None of the above is suitable for acid loving plants due to the content of limestone in the mix. A specialist Ericaceous compost is needed for such plants.

Written by Day Lily on 2006/12/20 | Permalink to this article