Which compost should I buy?

This subject is a  highly contentious one. Which? Gardening carries out surveys and publishes its findings, resulting in much debate.


My advice (for most plants) is use any compost that has a mix of:


1. loam (soil)
2. organic matter (peat or something else)
3. sand (or grit)
4. fertilizer (a mix of nitrogen, phosphates, potash and trace elements) 


This type of compost is usually called a soil-based compost - expensive does not always mean better.


I make my own mixes, roughly following the John Innes' (see picture) mixing ratios and using:


- bags of topsoil (and/ or soil from the garden)
- bags of peat free compost
- bags of horticultural grade sand and/ or grit
- general purpose fertliser granules


If in doubt or a hurry, just ask for and buy a soil-based compost and your plants will usually thank you for it.