Westonbirt compost

 

Gardeners get a boost from new Westonbirt Compost

With more than 16,000 trees and shrubs in its collection, the experts at Westonbirt Arboretum clearly know a thing or two about propagating. Now gardeners everywhere can benefit from the knowledge and experience by buying Westonbirt Compost.

Propagator Penny Jones has created a new potting compost that’s suitable for a wide range of plants, but has proved especially good for maples (acers). The original mix was 60% medium grade peat and 40% toresa wood fibre harvested from live peeled pine and spruce trees that are grown in sustainable forests. The peat content is being reduced with the aim of creating a 40-60 mix by next year.

With small quantities of a large variety of trees and shrubs to propagate in containers, Penny was keen to create a growing medium that suits as many species as possible, and this will be a great benefit to domestic gardeners. "Otherwise it’s a bit like being Delia Smith in the potting shed with many different recipes at your fingertips and a need for large scale storage/mixing facilities," Penny said.

The compost is light and open, with high air void volume and good drainage properties that encourage excellent root exploration.

No admission charges apply for visits to the Plant Centre. For more information contact 01666 880210

It is available from the Plant Centre at the arboretum in 40L bags and costs £5.95.