WHAT IS COMPOST?

It is a bio-logical process. GREENS, (grass, fruit, vegetables, dead flowers) and BROWNS (cardboard, pruning, hedge trimmings)   
together provide the right
combination of carbon, nitrogen
and moisture to feed the good
microbes that make great
compost

.

SO WHY CHOOSE COMPOST

WHAT IS FERTILISER?

In a nutshell: concentrated plant food.
 
Organic fertilisers are derived from remnants of plants and animals: animal by-products,
plant remains and food wastes.

 

 

 

SO WHY CHOOSE FERTILISER

WHAT IS MULCH?

Mulch is a protective cover for the soil, which can be derived from a number of materials; synthetic and natural. Vital Earth uses
Bark Chips for example.
Mulch protects the soil from
temperature changes, but it has
many other uses.

 

 

SO WHY CHOOSE MULCH

SO WHY USE A COMPOSTED MATERIAL

 

We thought of 10 great reasons:

1. Increases soil fertility – by adding valuable organic nutrients, which feed plants for several months.
2. Reduces the need for pesticides – helps natural plant defences.
3. Suppresses plant disease – friendly fungi fights disease.
4. Suppresses algae, liverwort and moss when in containers.
5. Improves water retention and reduces nutrient loss – another environmental benefit!
   
6. Used as a mulch, a layer of compost reduces weeds and conserves moisture
   
7. As mulch, it will be dragged into the soil by earthworms and used by other beneficial soil life.
8. Mulch also helps warm the soil and provides extra food for birds, hedgehogs and other wild life – just watch birds searching through mulch to see what we mean!
9. Improving soil structure: increasing aeration (essential for healthy roots), soil texture and ease of cultivation.
10. Boosting soil life: feeding friendly fungi and other microscopic life that improves the soil and helps plants.

 
And here is the green bit!

1. Vital Earth diverts garden waste from landfill sites to make re-cycled compost, reducing global warming by decreasing levels of methane released into the atmosphere.
2. Buying Peat-Free compost saves Peatlands: a key carbon store and thus a defence against global warming.
3. Vital Earth has a range of specialist compost-based products specifically formulated to benefit different uses, plant types and stages of growth.
    

OK so that is 10, but we got a bit carried away on the green bit! 

1. To further reduce our carbon footprint we only use UK recycled/sustainable materials.
2. We work with schools and colleges, gardening clubs and other groups to encourage the GREEN message.
3. We help growers, farmers and other professionals adopt greener methods of growing.
4. We are researching the use of composts in green roofs: an exciting new technique for helping the environment and improving the quality of life, especially for town dwellers.
   
   

   
   CHOOSING WHICH PEAT FREE COMPOST

    

   1. Where you grow the plants
   

   
   

   Location and environment determines how fast plants grow, therefore how much water and nutrients they need. Specialist composts provide ideal levels of nutrients and air to water balance.

    

   2. What you are growing
   

    

   We recommend Peat Free Multi-Purpose compost for many established plants, including fruits, shrubs and vegetables. But if you want to get even better results, consider a more specialist product (See our What Product and When Section).
   

    

   3. The stages of the plant’s life
   

    

   Seeds and cuttings need fewer nutrients for good germination and root developing respectively, and good water holding to aid growth.

    

   Mature plants need more nutrients and often need good drainage.

    

   4. The soil it grows in
   

    

   Certain plants love certain types of soil - some need a more acidic soil e.g. rhododendrons, azaleas, heathers and camellias. Some prefer more limey (alkaline) soil such as brassicas (cabbage family) hydrangeas and lilac.

    

   Soil structure is also important. Click here for more information on both Acid Loving and Lime Loving Plants and a more detailed explanation of different types of Soil.

 

 

SO WHY USE A FERTILISER?

Again we thought of some great reasons.

Firstly we should mention chemical fertiliser can pollute the air, the land, rivers and underground water reserves but organic, natural fertilisers stimulate growth in an environmentally friendly way and improve soil structure.
 
Although compost is brilliant for feeding both soil and plants, it is often easier to provide the extra nutrients needed to sustain plants as fertilisers because they contain nutrients in higher concentrations.
 
Vital Earth fertilisers are 100% natural.

 

Therefore they are:

1. Free of synthetic chemicals, your plants are fed naturally.
   
2. Long-lasting: gradual release of nutrients by natural degradation saves time – one application can replace many liquid feeds.
   
3. Nurture steady, healthy growth according to temperature and other local conditions – growth is not forced.
   
4. Like compost, encourage soil life - friendly fungi and other microbes and enhance soil health.
   
5. Boost flavour: in tomatoes for example we have proven that organic fertiliser can enhance flavour significantly (blind tasting test, using 41 volunteers, 2006).

 

 

SO WHY USE A MULCH?

Again we thought of some great reasons.

1. Suppresses weeds
   
2. Moisture retention in the soil
   
3. Insulates the soil: protects from frosts and heat-waves; protects root and soil life.
   
4. Improvement of soil structure
   
5. Prevents soil erosion
   
6. Encourages soil life and thus wildlife
   
7. Last but not least; sets off your plants beautifully.
   
8. Chemical nitrogen fertilisers produce nitrous oxide (N2O): a greenhouse gas 310 times more damaging than carbon dioxide (CO2); 13 times more damaging than methane (CH4). 
9. N2O is commonly called "laughing gas". We feel it's no laughing matter.