Ambassador Multi-Purpose Compost 20L

This category covers bagged composts for sowing, potting, containers and baskets, sold by volume in litres, along with kitchen food waste caddies, compostable caddy liners, and compost makers, activators and composters for turning garden waste into compost at home.

Types of compost

• Multi-purpose: a general compost for sowing, potting and containers. Some have added John Innes loam, which suits containers that will hold plants for more than two or three years.
• John Innes: loam-based mixes of sterilised loam, a peat substitute and coarse sand. Seed compost is for sowing and cuttings. The potting mixes are numbered 1 to 3: 1 is for pricking out seedlings and potting rooted cuttings, 2 has twice the nutrients, for established houseplants and container vegetables, and 3 has three times the nutrients, for trees, shrubs, climbers and fruit in pots. The loam gives weight and steadier water and nutrient levels.
• Ericaceous: a lower pH compost for acid-loving plants.
• Specialist: mixes for cacti, pond and aquatic plants, and containers and hanging baskets.

Peat-free and labelling

Peat-free composts blend materials such as composted bark, coir, wood fibre and composted green waste. If a bag does not say peat-free, it most likely contains peat. Check the pack for the plants it suits and how to use it, and expect to adjust watering and feeding if you are used to peat-based compost. There is no legal standard for John Innes ingredients, though many makers belong to the John Innes Manufacturers Association.

Caddies and liners

For council food waste caddies, use liners marked as meeting EN 13432, usually shown with a seedling logo, and check what your council accepts. Do not use ordinary plastic bags.

For seeds, feeds and garden sundries, see growing products; for compost bins, see incinerators and composters.