Compost vs Living Soil: Which Is Right for Your Garden?

Compost and living soil both have a place in the garden, but they do different jobs. Whole Plant Collective’s mature peat-free compost is for improving garden soil. Our Living Soil is a blended growing medium for containers, raised beds and larger growing spaces. Start with what you need the material to do.

The quick answer

• Choose mature compost when you want to improve existing garden soil or add a top dressing to a bed.

• Choose Living Soil when you need a growing medium for containers, raised beds or a larger growing space.

• If you are refreshing used Living Soil between cycles, read our re-amending guide before adding anything.

For the full guide, see Reusing Living Soil: How to Re-amend Soil for the Next Cycle.

What is compost for?

Our peat-free compost is matured for at least 12 months and made by hand by Tom and Sam in small batches from carefully selected inputs. It is intended to improve garden soil, including vegetable gardens and established or raised beds. You can use it as a soil improver or top dressing, following the guidance for your growing area.

Compost for soil improvement is not the same as a growing medium. If you are filling pots and need a material designed for that role, compare it with Living Soil before you choose.

See our peat-free Compost.

What is Living Soil for?

Our peat-free Living Soil is blended in small batches using mature compost produced on regenerative UK farmland, coco coir, aeration materials, and selected organic and mineral amendments. The mix is designed to support air and water movement around plant roots.

It is intended for containers, raised beds and larger growing spaces. Growing results vary with crop, weather, watering and care, so use the product guidance alongside the needs of the plants you are growing.

See Living Soil sizes and product guidance.

Which should you choose?

• Improving soil in an established garden bed? Compost is the relevant product.

• Filling a pot or raised bed with a growing medium? Look at Living Soil.

• Reusing Living Soil from a previous cycle? Consider the soil’s condition and growing history before deciding whether an amendment is needed.

There is no single best option for every job. Match the product to your growing space, estimate the volume you need, and check the product page for current sizes and instructions.