Compost Types and Benefits
Reading time: 4 minutes
How does compost work?
When compost is added to soil, the organic material is eaten by microorganisms within the soil. As the microorganisms break the compost down, this produces a dark and spongy material called humus. This material contains carbon, is rich in fibre, and additional nutrients such as potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen. These all help to promote plant growth and protect plants from disease and help with their reproduction.
When you buy compost, always follow the instructions on the bag for use. This can change from product to product, so it’s always worth checking.
What are the different types of compost?
While you may see variations on types of compost available, there are five main types that are produced for different purposes, being both beneficial to a household (to make use of organic waste, for example) and to plant life.
- Organic Compost
- Peat-Based Compost
- Peat-Free Compost
- Loam-Based Compost
- Multi-Purpose Compost
Compost is just one of the ways you can improve your garden, but there’s so much more that can be done. Explore our gardening and landscaping advice for more insider tips and tricks!
Disclaimer: The information contained on this page is intended as an overall introduction and is not intended as specific advice from a qualified professional. Travis Perkins aims to avoid, but accepts no liability, in the case that any information stated is out of date.