What is the best peat-free compost for UK gardens?
If you're looking for a good peat-free compost for your garden, look beyond the words “peat-free” on the bag. A quality compost should give plants a healthy growing environment while providing consistency, good moisture retention and the nutrients they need to establish and grow.
For organic gardeners, it is also worth checking whether a compost is genuinely approved for organic growing rather than simply described as “natural” or “eco-friendly”.
Natural Grower Natural Compost (50L) is Approved Organic by the Soil Association, Approved Organic and Biodynamic by the Biodynamic Association, and certified Vegan by the Vegan Society.
It is 100% peat-free, plant-based, chemical-free and green-waste-free, and is made here in Leicestershire.
It is a versatile multipurpose compost suitable for flower and vegetable beds, pots and containers, hanging baskets, growbags, established seedlings, trees and houseplants.
Why does the quality of peat-free compost matter?
Moving away from peat is an important step towards more sustainable gardening, helping to protect valuable peatland habitats and the carbon they store.
But, as many gardeners have discovered, not all peat-free composts perform in the same way.
Different materials and formulations can behave very differently when it comes to drainage, moisture retention, nutrients and consistency. Some peat-free composts also contain composted green waste, which can vary depending on the materials used.
This is one of the reasons we chose to make Natural Grower differently.
Our compost is made using our own unique plant-based feed and contains no green waste. We know what goes into it, giving us a consistent growing medium that fits naturally with our approach to gardening: look after the soil and the soil will look after your plants.
What makes Natural Grower Natural Compost different?
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Soil Association Approved Organic — independently approved for organic growing
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Approved Organic and Biodynamic by the Biodynamic Association
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Vegan Society certified — made without animal-derived ingredients
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100% peat-free — helping gardeners grow without using peat
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Plant-based and green-waste-free — made using our own unique plant feed
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Made in Leicestershire at Home Farm, Medbourne
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Multipurpose — suitable for beds, borders, containers, pots, growbags, established seedlings, trees and houseplants
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Independently tested by Which? — achieving the maximum 5 stars for pelargonium size and weight in its 2025 compost for patio pots test
And because healthy plants start with healthy soil, Natural Compost can also be used as a mulch on vegetable and flower beds, where it adds organic matter and helps improve the long-term structure of the soil.
Independently tested by Which?
We know how our compost performs in our own gardens, but independent testing gives gardeners additional reassurance.
In the Which? 2025 compost for patio pots test, Natural Grower Natural Compost for Organic Growers achieved the maximum 5 stars for pelargonium size and weight.
Plant size and weight accounted for 65% of the pelargonium assessment, making this a particularly useful measure of how strongly plants grew in the compost.
For us, the result reflects something we've always believed at Natural Grower: give plants a healthy, nutrient-rich growing environment and let nature do the rest.
How to use Natural Grower Natural Compost
Beds and borders
Work the compost gently into the surface of the soil or spread it over the surface as a mulch. As it breaks down, it adds valuable organic matter and helps improve soil structure.
Pots, containers and hanging baskets
Fill pots and containers directly with Natural Compost and plant as usual.
Tomatoes, cucumbers and greenhouse crops
Use in pots or reusable growbags. These are hungry plants, so continue feeding through the growing season with Natural Liquid Fertiliser.
Houseplants
Natural Compost can be used as a multipurpose compost when repotting many indoor plants.
Seeds and young seedlings
For small seeds and delicate young seedlings, we recommend mixing the compost 50:50 with soil, sand or coir, or sieving it first. This creates a finer growing medium for delicate new roots.
When potting seedlings on, Natural Plant Feed & Soil Improver can be mixed into the compost to provide slow-release nutrition as the plants develop.
Do plants need feeding after planting in compost?
Compost provides plants with their initial growing environment, but many plants — particularly tomatoes, cucumbers and other hungry or fruiting crops — will benefit from additional feeding as they grow.
Natural Grower has two complementary feeds:
Natural Plant Feed & Soil Improver (NPK 4.1-2.2-3)
Our slow-release plant feed can be mixed into the soil or compost when planting, or applied to the surface as a nutritious mulch.
Natural Liquid Fertiliser (NPK 3.6-1.5-3.7)
Dilute 100ml in 4 litres of water. Feed outdoor plants weekly during the growing season and up to twice a week when fruit is swelling.
Shop compost + liquid feed bundle
Where can I buy Natural Grower peat-free compost?
You can buy Natural Grower Natural Compost directly from us online, along with our complete range of organic compost and fertilisers.
Natural Grower compost is also available through selected online stockists, including B&Q, Homebase, Wilkos, Waitrose, Crocus, Sarah Raven, Thompson & Morgan and Amazon.
Buying directly from Natural Grower also gives you access to our compost and fertiliser bundles and seasonal offers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Natural Grower compost completely peat-free?
Yes. Natural Grower Natural Compost is 100% peat-free.
Is Natural Grower compost suitable for growing vegetables?
Yes. It can be used in vegetable beds, containers, pots and reusable growbags. Hungry and fruiting crops may benefit from additional feeding during the growing season.
Is Natural Grower compost approved for organic growing?
Yes. Natural Grower Natural Compost is Approved Organic by the Soil Association and Approved Organic and Biodynamic by the Biodynamic Association. It is also certified Vegan by the Vegan Society.
Does Natural Grower compost contain green waste?
No. Our compost is green-waste-free and is made using our own unique plant-based feed.
Can I sow seeds in Natural Grower compost?
Yes. For fine seeds and young seedlings, we recommend sieving the compost or mixing it 50:50 with soil, sand or coir to create a finer growing medium for delicate roots.
Can I use Natural Grower compost for houseplants?
Yes. Natural Compost can be used as a multipurpose compost for many indoor plants. Plants with specialist growing requirements, such as cacti or orchids, may require a more specialised growing medium.
Has Natural Grower compost been independently tested?
Yes. Natural Grower Natural Compost for Organic Growers achieved the maximum 5 stars for pelargonium size and weight in Which?’s 2025 compost for patio pots test.
Grow naturally with Natural Grower
Healthy plants begin with healthy soil.
Our Natural Compost is made here in Leicestershire for gardeners who want to grow without peat, unnecessary chemicals or green waste — while giving their plants a healthy start.
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Shop Natural Compost 50L · Buy 4 bags + free feed pouch · Compost & fertiliser range
Last updated: September 2026
