Growing bags don't compare - these used to be filled with peat and were cheap, making them an excellent alternative. However, they are now mostly peat-reduced or peat-free and have fertilisers meant for growing veg. Space seedlings to allow for vigorous growth. Water regularly until the seedlings are ready to be potted on But the only way to know if a compost is good or bad is to grow plants in it and compare them - something we've been doing for more than 30 years. Water compost after sowing seeds. Covering the seed tray with polythene or glass will help to stop the compost from drying out

Specific-use composts tend to be more expensive than multipurpose composts, but in some cases it's worth paying a little more. A medium-crumbly texture - is ideal. Composts that are too fine are prone to water logging, while those that are too coarse tend to need more frequent watering. A crumbly structure will allow excess water to drain through, while holding enough water and air for roots to thrive. Autumn Statement: Workers to pay less in national insurance – but rate cuts don't offset the freezing of personal tax thresholds

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We also test grow bags - see our round-up of the best grow bags. What are the different types of compost? Martin Lewis: What the Autumn Statement means for you – including wages, benefits, pensions, ISAs, national insurance and more

The bacterium responsible for the potentially fatal Legionnaires’ disease has been found in some composts sold in the UK. The chances of you becoming infected are very low, but it makes sense to take the following precautions when handling compost: Old compost is often on sale - we send secret shoppers to buy our composts, who tell us if they find old compost on sale. It's a very common problem. We also know from our testing that old compost doesn't perform as well as fresh compost. To avoid this, buy bags that look new and aren't faded or heavy, which suggests they have been sitting around in bright sunshine for too long, or have been rained on regularly.

Placing in a warm spot away from direct sunlight until cuttings have rooted will give best results. Creates a more open, free draining medium allowing roots to grow through the whole volume of compost.