Author: Tony Callaghan

Most Multipurpose Composts are made using recycled organic materials such as green waste. During processing, small pieces of plastic, glass, or metal can be left behind, especially when the raw materials come from household or garden collections. Even though UK composts made to PAS 100 and similar standards are screened and quality-checked, these standards still…

Short answer:Some Multipurpose Composts are very sustainable, others far less so. The difference lies in the ingredients, sourcing, and packaging. What makes a compost sustainable? What to look for on the bag If this information is missing, sustainability is uncertain. Learn more For a deeper look at how ingredients, transport, and packaging affect compost carbon…

TL;DR:Use a specialist compost when your plants genuinely need a very specific pH, nutrient, or drainage balance — for example, seeds, ericaceous plants, orchids, or citrus. For most other “for tomatoes/roses/vegetables” mixes, a good-quality Multipurpose Compost  (MPC) plus the right feed at the right time will do the job just as well. Why it matters…

Short answer: No — they serve similar roles but are very different in composition, biology, and behaviour. What’s the difference? Aspect Multipurpose Compost (MPC) Home / DIY Compost Purpose Formulated, consistent growing medium for containers and pots Recycled organic matter used as a soil improver Ingredients Peat-free blends of wood fibre, coir, composted bark, green…

Multipurpose Compost (MPC) is a flexible, ready-to-use growing medium designed for containers, raised beds, and general soil improvement. While convenient, it has limits — understanding how to use it well makes all the difference. Pots & Containers Feeding After Compost Most bagged Multipurpose Composts contain enough nutrients to support plants for around four to six weeks.…

TL;DR: Most bagged “Multipurpose Composts” (MPC) are formulated growing media that give fast plant performance but are not humus. True compost (e.g., PAS100-certified green-waste compost) is biologically active and still decomposing; humus is the stable end-product that forms slowly in living soils. Quick Answers (FAQ) 1) Are compost and humus the same? No. For the…

Short answer: You can use Multipurpose Compost for light top dressing, but its benefit depends on your goal. If you want to smooth and refresh surfaces, fine-textured MPC works well. If you want to rebuild soil life and structure, choose a true compost such as PAS100 or well-matured DIY compost. What “Top Dressing” Means Top…

TL;DR Multipurpose Compost (MPC) is a modern, soilless, all-purpose mix designed for ease of use. John Innes 1, 2 and 3 are traditional, soil-based formulas graded by nutrient strength and tailored to plant growth stages. Composition Multipurpose Compost  (MPC): Peat-free or reduced-peat blends using wood fibre, coir, bark or green compost. Lightweight, easy to handle, and…

TL;DR Summary John Innes composts are classic soil-based growing media developed in the 1930s by horticultural scientists at the John Innes Horticultural Institution. They remain excellent for structured, long-term container growth — but differ completely from today’s soilless Multipurpose Composts (MPCs). The formulas are public domain and can be made at home using garden soil, sand…

Short answer: No — not all plants or seeds thrive in standard Multipurpose Compost. Most retail MPCs are nutrient-rich, fine-textured and microbially inactive, designed for convenience in pots and containers. But seedlings, acid-loving plants (like azaleas and blueberries), and some delicate ornamentals need different textures, lower nutrient levels, or a pH-adjusted base to avoid stress…