NEW for Spring 2012
RSPB Multi Purpose
Compost

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RSPB Multi Purpose Organic
Compost (MPC)

Peat Free, Organic, Recycled Compost

 

RSPB Multi Purpose Organic Compost is made from recycled garden waste with a diluent of FSC bark. Being 100% peat-free, British, sustainable and wildlife-friendly, it is an ideal product for a wide range of gardening activities, including seed sowing, potting and planting up containers.

 

The formulation includes an entirely natural, long-lasting growth booster, which encourages strong healthy plants with minimal additional feeding, complementing the natural reserves of recycled nutrients in the green compost. It is wholly sustainable and environmentally-kind.

 

Developed in house and tested in focus groups, who all said that the brand endorsement alone was enough to buy it straightaway, RSPB Multi Purpose comes in a 50 litre bag with a recommended RRP of £5.99. Lively, vigorous packaging and point of sale – typical of the quirky, fun Vital Earth style – will give the product fantastic stand out in retail.

 

• For planting bedding, herbaceous, fruit, shrubs and vegetables
• Added natural food and nutrients feed plants for up to 6 weeks
• Extra natural long-lasting feed encourages big beautiful blooms

Vital Earth Multi Purpose Compost has been developed for a wide range of gardening activities, including seed sowing, potting and planting up containers.

The formulation is 100% natural and sustainable and includes Vitalizer: an entirely natural, long-lasting growth booster, growing strong healthy plants with minimal feeding.

 

 

How to Use Vital Earth RSPB MPC Organic Compost (MPC)

 

Sowing Seeds

• Fill trays or pots with RSPB Multi Purpose Organic Compost, level off and firm lightly
  
• Water thoroughly, using a watering can with a fine rose
  
• Sow seeds evenly and thinly as per seed packet instructions
  
• Label/date the tray or pot
  Unless they are really tiny (e.g. petunia, begonia), most seeds benefit from a thin covering of compost and most need to be started in darkness. For most seeds, the texture of RSPB Multi Purpose Compost is perfect, but for exceptionally fine seeds, it can be sieved before use. Seeds also like a temperature of 20-30oC and moist conditions, which can be achieved using a propagator or a covering of clear plastic. There are always exceptions, however, - for example lettuce and impatiens, so check the seed instructions carefully. Once the seeds have germinated, remove any covering and keep moist and well lit.

Pricking Out Seedlings

• Fill trays or pots with RSPB Multi Purpose Organic Compost, level off and firm lightly
  
• Seedlings should be fully grown and showing their first true leaves
  
• Carefully tease seedlings apart with a dibber
  
• Dib a hole in the compost and, gently holding a seedling by a seed leaf, lower it into the hole to just below its seed leaves; firm in
  
• Water thoroughly, using a watering can with a fine rose

 

Striking Cuttings

• Fill trays or pots with RSPB Multi Purpose Organic Compost, level off and firm lightly
  
• Prepare cuttings from healthy non-flowering shoots, making a clean cut just
  below a leaf joint. Strip off leaves from approximately 2 cms of the stem
  
• Stick cuttings into compost up to 1 cm below lowest leaf. Firm in
  
• Water thoroughly, using a watering can with a fine rose
  
• Enclose in a plastic bag to maintain humidity and keep in a warm, slightly
  shaded environment
  
• When rooted, remove plastic bag and shading. After a week or two, pot up using RSPB multi purpose compost

 

Hanging Baskets and Other Containers

• Line hanging basket
  
• Fill basket/container with RSPB multi purpose compost and plant up, leaving approximately 1 cm for watering, and firming gently to eliminate air spaces
  
• Water thoroughly and do not allow your basket or container to dry out

 

Potting

• Choose a pot large enough to accommodate the root ball and partly fill
  with RSPB Multi Purpose Organic Compost
  
• Water the plant thoroughly, and then remove it from its pot
  
• Place the root-ball in the new pot and fill around the sides, leaving approximately 1 or 2 cms for watering, and firming gently to eliminate air spaces
  
• Water thoroughly

 

Planting Trees, Roses, Shrubs etc.

• Soak the root ball in a bucket of water until air bubbles no longer appear
  Dig a hole approximately twice the width of the root ball
  
• Mix RSPB multi purpose into the soil 50:50 and then place the plant
  centrally in the hole. Refill, carefully firm in and water well
  
• During dry conditions, place a 2cm layer of RSPB multi purpose compost in the bottom of the hole and water this layer well before planting

 

Watering

Peat-free composts behave differently from peat-based when it comes to deciding when and how much to water. It may not always be obvious just by looking at the compost whether it needs water or not. To tell whether watering is needed, poke the compost surface with your finger. If the surface is soft, watering is not needed. If it is firm, then watering is needed fairly soon. Take care not to over water, however, as this can suffocate roots and encourage flies.

 

Feeding

Plants in RSPB multi purpose compost will not need feeding for at least six weeks. After that, a dilute liquid feed or an organic top-dressing can be applied to young plants or a natural fertiliser to container plants. After applying, water in.

 

Suggested Quantities for RSPB Multi Purpose Organic Compost (MPC)

 

	50 Litres
Seed Tray	20
Half Tray	42
8cm/3” Pots	240
10cm/4” Pots	120
12cm/5” Pots	50
15cm/6” Pots	26
25cm/10” Pots	7
30cm/12” Pots	6
30cm/12” Baskets	11
36cm/14” Baskets	6

 

General Advice and Information

• For best results, use within a year of purchase - This product is made from recycled garden waste and every effort is made to ensure that it is free from all forms of contamination. Very occasionally you may find a small piece of plastic in the compost, but this will not harm the plant growth in any way.
  
  As with all gardening activities, please wear gloves when handling and wash your hands afterwards
  
• Close the bag when not in use
  
• Store in a dry, cool but frost-free place, away from weed-killers and other chemicals
  
• To avoid danger of suffocation, please keep this bag away from babies and children
  - Vital Earth is proud to hold the Baseline Standard of the UK Growing Media Association: assuring compost users of good value and fairness.

 

Environmental Benefits

Peat Free, Organic, Recycled and Sustainable. All ingredients are British sourced, natural with no added chemicals.

 

PLEASE NOTE:

This product is not suitable for ericaceous plants such as Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Camellias, Heathers and most Acers. Use Vital Earth Ericaceous Organic Compost