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Improving soil - can I use multipurpose compost?

David.lifedrawingDavid.lifedrawing Posts: 27
in Problem solving
I want to dig in some organic matter to my top soil to add nutrients and also to make it less compact to promote drainage. I have some spare multi-purpose compost - will that do? Or do I need to get load of manure based compost?

Thanks in advance.

Posts

  • K67K67 Posts: 2,506
    Anything helps, I use old compost from pots, sharp sand, grit, composted bark.
    I do mulch with bagged manure every year but then 6 bags does all my garden!
    You could add some fertilizer in the spring but I don't bother except for clematis and roses 
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    As K67 says, it'll do to help improve the soil structure, but if you want to feed the ground long-term (the nutrients added to MPC only last 6 weeks) then use well-rotted manure in addition.  Home-made compost and leaf mould are also excellent at improving both soil structure and health,  but don't provide much in the way of nutrients.  If only MPC is available, then I would also add some fish, blood and bone fertilizer when you dig it in, which will provide food for up to a year.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • David.lifedrawingDavid.lifedrawing Posts: 27
    Thanks that's really helpful. I'll probably mix some blood and bone into the MPC and dig it through for now, maybe get some horse poop in the spring.
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    edited September 2020
    There is no point in adding fertiliser now. That should be applied in Spring, when plants are bursting into life.
    Fertiliser is to feed the plants.
    Compost is to feed the soil.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • David.lifedrawingDavid.lifedrawing Posts: 27
    OK, thanks punkdoc
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