How to make sure you’re getting the most from your compost

Compost can be daunting- while lots of information exists on the best way to create your own, how best to use it? If used correctly, compost can boost the fertility of you garden dramatically.

Lawns

While we often think of fertiliser as only of interest to flower or vegetable gardeners, it can be a huge help to your turf too. Installing a new lawn for the first time may seem like an overwhelming task- however compost will assist your new turf in taking root for the first time. Add a little compost to the exposed ground before installing your new rolls of turf.

Thinly sieve compost onto the grass before evening it out with the back of a rake- alternatively wheeled dispensers are available fairly cheaply. This process is best done in September- this will give your lawn time to utilise the compost before the winter chill slows growth down.

Soil

The traditional use for compost is to restore fertility to the soil. Find the right kind of compost and mix it carefully into the soil to improve prospects for a wide variety of plants. Be aware that long term use of some types might lead to residue, such as mushroom compost leaving chalky deposits after heavy use. The best type of fertiliser for this depends on the plants you’re trying to boost, for example John Innes Number 1 compost helps new plants still growing.

Mulch

When the weather gets a bit cooler it can be worth thinking about mulching as an alternative to lifting delicate plants for indoor storage. Mulch acts as insulation for plants during hard winter frosts, and early summer work to conserve moisture.

The compost shop stocks a wide variety of tried & tested compost blends for all stages of plant growth. View our range to find the perfect compost for your project.