Last Updated on July 1, 2025 by Forest-Master-Sales

Now that we can get out in the garden (Hurray!) and crack on with those well-overdue garden tasks, giving the plants a fresh pile of compost will be, no doubt, high up on that list – but it might not be a case of just chucking on any kind of compost. 

Understanding the different types of compost available and how to use them effectively can greatly benefit your garden. In this blog, we’ll explore the various types of compost, how to create healthy mulch with a Forest Master FM4DDES-MUL, and which plants benefit most from compost.

Types of Compost

If you’re fairly new to gardening, you may think buying the cheapest multipurpose bag of compost will do the trick. But did you know there are several different types to choose from and use? 

1. Manure Compost: Rich in nutrients, manure compost is derived from animal waste such as cow, horse, or chicken manure. It’s high in nitrogen and great for enriching soil fertility.
2. Kitchen Compost: Made from kitchen scraps like fruit and vegetable peels, eggshells, and coffee grounds, kitchen compost is ideal for adding organic matter and micronutrients to the soil.
3. Leaf Mould: Composed of decomposed leaves, leaf mould improves soil structure and water retention. It’s especially beneficial for plants that prefer acidic soil.
4. Green Waste Compost: Produced from green garden waste like grass clippings, weeds, and trimmings, this compost is high in nitrogen and great for adding nutrients to the soil.
5. Worm Castings: Also known as vermicompost, worm castings are produced by worms breaking down organic matter. It’s nutrient-rich and enhances soil structure and microbial activity.

Creating Healthy Mulch with Forest Master FM4DDE-MUL:

The Forest Master FM4DDES-MUL is a powerful tool for creating healthy mulch from your compost. Purposely designed to turn any garden waste (and chip wood) into garden gold, thanks to its direct drive system and its special grated drum that holds materials inside until they’re smaller than 10mm. 

What goes in it? Well, that’s a good question, so here are a few items that our mulcher can handle.

• Fruit and vegetable peelings 
• Plant cuttings
• Foglie
• Tea bags
• Grass cuttings
• Saw dust
• Giornale

Not bad, right? But of course, you’ll want to see it in action, and you can watch it through a link at the bottom of the blog. 

Now that you have your compost ready, here’s how to use it effectively on different plants:

1. Vegetables and Herbs: Incorporate compost into the soil before planting to provide essential nutrients for healthy growth. Top-dress with compost throughout the growing season to replenish soil nutrients.
2. Flowering Plants: Mix compost into the soil when planting flowering annuals or perennials to promote vibrant blooms. Mulch around the base of plants with compost to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
3. Fruit Trees and Shrubs: Apply compost around the base of fruit trees and shrubs in spring to boost growth and fruit production. Repeat annually to maintain soil fertility.
4. Lawns: Spread a thin layer of compost over the lawn and rake it into the grass to improve soil health and promote lush, green growth.

Now that you have a good understanding of compost and its benefits, you can feel confident knowing that you can apply this to your garden, and you can also see if our FM4DDES-MUL can help add to that when you watch it in action!