Hi Tui, what is the difference between compost and potting mix? It seems both are pretty similar. Could potting mix be used in the garden? What is different in application between Tui Enrich Controlled Release Fertiliser and Powerfeed Controlled Release? Again, it looks similar to me. I am a little bit confused. Thanks.

Hi Kevin, compost is organic plant material that has been broken down over a period of time by microbal activity to form a soft crumbly soil. Compost is used to add organic matter and nutrients to the soil, it helps improve soil structure and also supplies nutrients to plants such as nitrogen. It is best dug into the existing soil and not recommended for use in pots and containers because it is continually breaking down and compacting, this starves plants of air pore space and eventually water logs the plant in the pot. No additional fertilisers are added to compost.

Potting mix is made from organic plant based material sourced from New Zealand pine, a by-product of the forestry industry. Bark can also be mixed with other growing mediums such as coir, peat and pumice to create a potting mix that is suitable for growing plants in pots or as a planting mix in the garden. A balance of nutrients are added to the base material to help plants grow, usually a controlled release fertiliser that feeds plants for up to 6 months, compost does not contain additional fertilisers. Potting mix or garden mix can be used in the garden or in pots and containers.

Controlled release fertilisers are a small fertiliser prill with a water permeable coating that slowly releases nutrients over a period of time, they need heat and moisture for the nutrients to release, there is less chance of plant roots burning when using a controlled release fertiliser, Tui Enrich Controlled Release fertilisers are a 3 in 1 blend of controlled release fertiliser, Novatec slow release fertiliser and a blend of soil microbes to help improve soil structure. Most controlled release fertilisers have similar application rates and mode of action, the NPK on the pack will be different. This is the ratio of fertilisers contained in the prills and they will be different depending on the plants that are being grown, more nitrogen for leafy type plants, more phosphorus for root crops and more potassium for flowering and fruiting plants. The Tui Team.