What's in it, and what it does:There is a huge range of different composts that we can use in the garden, but what do they do? For seed sowing, cuttings and potting on: Potting/Cutting compost: Vermiculite and Perlite: I always thought these two were the same sort of thing.... and they sort of are. They are generally used when sowing seeds and are mixed into cutting composts. Vermiculite: A lightweight micra-like mineral expanded by heat. It is used to cover seeds and because it is translucent the light still gets through. It is added to compost to improve aeration and because it is a moisture-retentive material it helps to hold the water and nutrients. Perlite: A lightweight volcanic mineral: Used in compost, when taking cutting and transplanting seedlings. It improves aeration and drainage and aid rewetting of peat. It is also used in hydroponics. Used as a replacement of grit. Polystyrene: A byproduct of the oil industry and yet another product that doesn't biodegrade so if not reused, fills our landfill sites. It is sometimes used a a replacement for penlight to aid aeration and increase drainage in cutting composts. General Composts: Household compost: Best used as a mulch or soil improve Rockwell: A product that is made from natural materials, chalk and basalt rock, the two materials are crushed, melted and spun, into a water retentive material (that is not biodegradable! so unless reused, it is another product that fills our landfill sites) It is used as a substitute for peat, used in hydroponics as a media by itself, or shredded and added to compost because it provides good aeration and is water retentive. Mulch/Soil Improvers: Composted Bark: Chipped and composted tree bark. Also added to compost as an alternative to peat. Use as a soil conditioner. It also increases aeration and drainage: Leaf mould: decomposed leaves from broadleaved trees, that is stored for 1-2 year. It is used in potting compost to retain moisture and improve texture. A good soil improver if you have sandy soil and is a good mulch. Composted green waste: This is usually made up of green waste that is collected by the Local Authority, shredded and then left to compost before being sold on. Use as a garden mulch or did into the soil to improve the texture. It may contain perennial weeds and other foreign objects that have found their way through the sieve. Spent Mushroom Compost: A waste product from mushroom growing, usually made up of horse manure or other nitrogen rich material and straw. A great mulch, top dressing or soil improve, although you do need to take care with perennial weeds. It can also increase the alkalinity in soil/growing media. |
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AuthorThe Drock, meaning Water Course: |