SylvaGrow John Innes Seed Compost, No.1, No.2 and No.3 offer gardeners an exceptional opportunity to use these great heritage composts with an updated peat-free formulation. SylvaGrow Multi-Purpose is a unique blend of fine bark, woodfibre (by-products of sustainably managed British forests) and coir (from known, sustainable sources). It contains balanced nutrients sufficient for the first 4-6 weeks of growth.

The right balance of nutrients - a good seed or potting compost should have the right balance of nutrients to grow a range of plants during this stage of their development, whereas a multipurpose compost should be able to support plants at all growth stages. Remember that most composts only have enough fertiliser to last around four weeks, so after this you will need to add liquid feed or one of our Best controlled-release fertilisers . Make a hole large enough to accommodate the item to be potted and insert it, taking care that the growing medium is at about the same height on the stem as previously Wood-based materials such as woodfibre, composted bark, sawdust, wood or paper waste are usually the main ingredient. Wood-based mixes can be tailored to the requirements of most plants, as they have excellent drainage properties, as well as a low pH.

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Lime-hating, ericaceous plants The SylvaGrow Planter is not suitable for raising lime-hating, ericaceous plants such as blueberries. For these use SylvaGrow Ericaceous. Research is ongoing into a number of materials that, if locally available, may be useful ingredients in blended products, such asarable straw waste, wool waste, carpet waste, and paper and cardboard production waste. Claimed to be suitable for germinating seeds, small seedlings and plants in patio containers, it's a good general compost, but our tests show that not all are great for all jobs. Look carefully at our results table to find one that is good for all your garden tasks. Raised Beds SylvaGrow Organic can be used as part of a raised bed medium for vegetable and strawberry growing. Simply mix 1 part SylvaGrow Organic thoroughly with 3 to 4 parts loam or garden soil to gain a valuable addition of organic matter and nutrients. Remember to supplementary feed as instructed above in ‘Potting On’ as vegetables are heavy feeders and will respond well. Can refer to either home-made garden compost or seed/potting compost: • Garden compost is a soil improver made from decomposed plant waste, usually in a compost bin or heap. It is added to soil to improve its fertility, structure and water-holding capacity. Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers - a wide range of commercially produced peat-free composts are available, made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir and sand, although you can mix your own. Compost is also suitable for vigorously-growing plants such as tomatoes and chrysanthemums.

Dry, clean bags that aren't torn or faded - in the garden centre choose bags that look new as the contents contain fresh compost. Bags that are faded or are heavy have been hanging around, getting too hot in the sun or soaking up rain, which will damage the compost in the bag. If possible, buy from a garden centre that keeps its compost in a covered area. Superb-quality 100% peat-free compost as used by professionals. Perfect for a wide range of garden applications including potting-on, containers, planting out and as a growing bag. Stem cuttings need to be in a moist environment out of direct sunlight until they have rooted so either place in a cold frame, a covered propagator or cover with polythene, using supports to prevent the polythene from touching the cuttings. Root cuttings can be placed in a cold frame or sheltered spot out of direct sunlight and can benefit from a thin layer of grit on the growing medium surface The best compost will provide all the nutrients and support needed for seeds and veg to grow and thrive, while the worst will leave you with meagre crops and feeble plants. SylvaGrow Organic can be used as part of a raised bed medium for vegetable and strawberry growing. Simply mix 1 part SylvaGrow Organic thoroughly with 3 to 4 parts loam or garden soil to gain a valuable addition of organic matter and nutrients. Remember to supplementary feed as instructed above in ‘Potting On’ as vegetables are heavy feeders and will respond well. Planting Out

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They often contain a different mix of ingredients to those found in multipurpose composts. These include small amounts of sand, grit or vermiculite in seed and potting composts, bark in orchid compost and mostly gravel and sand in cacti composts. Remember to supplementary feed as instructed above in ‘Potting On’ as vegetables are heavy feeders and will respond well. Melcourt’s Technical Manager Victoria Wright talks about flies in compost, what they are and what to do about them. Tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, aubergines, courgettes, chilli peppers and strawberries Using well-established young plants, • First, ensure that the plants to be potted have been well-watered. • Make holes large enough to accommodate the items to be potted, insert the plants and firm gently around the stem. • Water thoroughly. Take care always to avoid wetting the crowns and fruit of strawberries as this can promote disease. • Ensure that the Planter is kept evenly moist but not over-wet, at all • times. • As the first flowers appear, commence liquid feeding. If using a conventional fertilizer (non-organic) apply according to the manufacturer’s instructions (usually around every 10 -1 4 days). • If you wish to maintain the organic status of the crop, choose an organic liquid feed (preferably a Soil Association approved product). Commence feeding at three weeks after potting or when the first flowers appear if this comes first. Apply feed at every other watering, increasing to every watering once the plant is cropping. Government had committed to banning the use of peat in retail bagged compost in 2024, and its use in professional horticulture in 2026, with some exemptions to 2030. However, so far government has failed to put in place legislation for these bans, so it remains unclear when the use of peat in horticulture will be legally prohibited.