Whether you are new to peat-free growing or already use Dalefoot Composts products regularly, these FAQs answer some of the most common questions we hear from gardeners, growers and stockists.
From watering and ingredients to performance, troubleshooting and delivery, we hope this page helps you grow sustainably with confidence.
If you cannot find the answer you are looking for, please get in touch with our team and we’ll be happy to help.
About Dalefoot Composts
Are Dalefoot composts organic?
All Dalefoot composts are approved for organic growing by the Soil Association.
Our composts are completely peat-free, made on our family-run farm using 100% natural ingredients including wool, bracken and comfrey, with no green waste or artificial fertilisers.
Learn more about our award-winning trio of ingredients.
Are your composts completely peat-free?
Yes, every compost in the Dalefoot range is 100% peat-free and free from green waste.
We are committed to helping gardeners grow successfully without peat while helping protect precious peatland habitats. Understand why we’re peat-free.
Where are Dalefoot composts made?
All our composts are made on our family-run Dalefoot Farm near Penrith in the Cumbrian Lake District.
We make our peat-free composts using renewable natural ingredients sourced as locally as possible.
What makes Dalefoot Composts different?
Dalefoot Composts is a multi-award-winning manufacturer of peat-free growing mediums. Based in the beautiful Lake District, our family-run business has been championing peat-free composts and sustainable gardening for almost 30 years.
We are recognised across the UK for our eco-friendly practices, including the GIMA’s (Garden Industry Manufacturers’ Association) Sustainability Award, multiple shortlistings for the prestigious RHS Chelsea Sustainable Garden Product of the Year Award, and consistent wins for our organic peat-free formulas in professional growing trials.
Unlike many other peat-free products, our sustainable composts are made from premium ingredients and don’t contain green waste, animal manures or artificial fertilisers (without compromising on quality or growing results!). That’s why all our peat-free composts are also Soil Association approved for organic growing.
Instead, our specialist composts are carefully blended from renewable, locally sourced and sustainably harvested natural resources – many of which come from the Lake District fells surrounding our farm.
Dalefoot’s award-winning peat-free compost formula is developed from ancient gardening recipes, rooted in traditional Lake District farming and updated with knowledge gained from decades of working with the environment.
It’s based on a winning trio of ingredients… Potash-rich bracken forms the base of all our peat-free composts. We then blend British wool (from our Whitefaced Woodland and Cheviot sheep flocks) into our Wool Compost range to improve water retention, regulate soil temperature and provide slow-release nitrogen as the wool gradually breaks down. We also add comfrey, often called the organic gardener’s best friend. We use the Comfrey ‘Bocking 14’ variety, which is a globally renowned dynamic accumulator that’s rich in essential nutrients including potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen.
Together, these performance-packed natural ingredients provide a long-lasting natural feed, improve water retention and promote healthier plants for larger flowers and bigger crops. With this unique, nutrient-rich composition, our composts retain more water than other peat-free products on the market and don’t require any additional fertiliser throughout the growing season.
Many gardeners find that Dalefoot composts require less watering and continue improving soil structure over time.
Choosing the Right Compost
Which Dalefoot compost is the best all-rounder?
Wool Compost for Potting is our best all-round compost for general-purpose growing. It retains moisture and feeds plants naturally for at least a year… Ideal for pots, tubs, hanging baskets, containers and raised beds!
Which compost is best for vegetables and salads?
Wool Compost for Vegetables & Salads is specially blended for growing organic vegetables, salads, herbs and fruit. It’s suitable for allotments, raised beds, containers and “grow your own” gardening.
Which compost is best for tomatoes?
Wool Compost for Tomatoes contains all the must-have nutrients needed to grow organic, succulent, flavourful tomatoes for up to 12 months.
It’s naturally water-retentive and doesn’t require any additional tomato feed throughout the growing season. Suitable for growing tomatoes indoors and outdoors, or use as a grow bag alternative!
Which compost is strongest?
Wool Compost Double Strength is our richest, most concentrated compost – it’s fertiliser-strength!
Use as a mulch, soil conditioner or compost mixer. It’s particularly good for hungry plants and dry, sandy soils.
Which compost should I use for seeds?
Wool Compost for Seeds is specially designed to provide the perfect start for seeds and seedlings.
It has a finer texture and good drainage which gives seeds the best chance to germinate and promotes strong, healthy root growth before potting on.
Once roots are developed, they can be transferred to one of our Wool Composts.
Which compost is best for pots and hanging baskets?
Wool Compost for Potting is ideal for containers, pots, tubs, planters and hanging baskets where water retention and long-lasting nutrition are key.
Which compost is best for bulbs?
Dalefoot’s Bulb Compost is specially blended to support strong, healthy bulbs and encourage vibrant blooms year after year.
Which compost should I use if I have clay soil?
For heavy or clay soils, we recommend Lakeland Gold, our proven gold-standard “Clay-buster”. It’s a nutrient-rich soil conditioner and specialist mulch, designed to aerate and improve soil structure naturally over time.
The lignin from the bracken helps break up the clay to improve drainage, balance soil pH, reduce erosion and aid moisture retention. This peat-free compost also provides natural, slow-release nutrition for a full year to help develop a fertile, living soil that’s healthier and more workable season after season.
Lakeland Gold is ideal for enriching heavy clay soils, mulching beds and borders, top dressing around established plants and using in no-dig gardening methods.
Simply apply in the Spring and Autumn directly to the top of the soil and allow the worms to work it into the beds to gradually improve soil structure and create better growing conditions throughout your garden.
Watering and Feeding
Do I need to add liquid feed or fertiliser?
No! All the feed you need is in the bag.
Our wool composts are designed to feed plants naturally throughout the growing season, so there’s absolutely no need for any additional plant feed or fertiliser.
The feed is organic and naturally nutrient-rich from the wool, bracken and comfrey within the compost:
- Wool slowly releases nitrogen as it breaks down
- Bracken is rich in potash to support flowering and fruiting
- Comfrey contains high levels of potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen
Because the feed is released gradually and naturally, plants often grow more steadily than they do in composts containing artificial fertilisers.
How long do Dalefoot composts feed plants for?
Our composts naturally feed for at least one full year as the wool, bracken and comfrey gradually break down. There is residual feed in the second and third years.
Top tip: Don’t discard your spent compost! Since it still contains plenty of goodness, you can spread it on your garden, use to help fill new vegetable beds, or add it to your own compost heap.
Why do Dalefoot composts need less watering?
The sheep’s wool used in our Wool Compost range is naturally water-retentive.
Compared to many peat-free composts, Dalefoot composts stay moist for longer, helping reduce watering needs (and making container growing easier during warm weather).
How do I avoid overwatering?
Gardeners sometimes initially overwater when switching to Dalefoot composts because they are used to other peat-free composts drying out more quickly.
Since our peat-free composts naturally retain water, we recommend adapting to a lighter watering routine and checking compost by touch to prevent overwatering. Place a finger beneath the compost surface to see whether moisture is still present before watering.
You can also lift pots and containers to judge their weight. If the compost still feels heavy and moist, watering may not yet be needed.
Reducing overwatering also helps minimise issues such as damping off and fungus gnats!
Why have my seeds damped off?
Damping off is usually caused by overwatering.
Always check whether compost beneath the surface is still moist before watering again. Lifting pots to feel their weight can also help indicate moisture levels.
In beds and borders, ‘finger test’ before watering by pushing a finger an inch below the surface to feel if compost is still moist.
How do I stop the run-off from staining?
Stop watering as soon as you see runoff, as this is usually a sign that the plant has had enough moisture – although the liquid can be used to feed plants, so don’t waste it!
Using trays or saucers underneath pots can help collect runoff and prevent the water from reaching patios or paving.
If runoff reaches patios or hard surfaces, rinse it away before it dries. Eco-friendly patio cleaners or pressure washing can also help.
Ingredients and Natural Materials
Why do you use wool in your composts?
Sheep’s wool is hygroscopic, which means it’s naturally water-retentive. It can absorb and hold multiple times its weight in water and slowly release the excess moisture as conditions dry out.
Organic wool fibres can help improve soil structure and aeration while providing humidity control and insulation to regulate soil temperatures through the seasons. It also releases nitrogen as it breaks down in the soil.
That’s exactly why our specialist range of Wool Composts can hold water for longer than many peat-free products while also providing long-lasting natural feed for up to 12 months.
Many gardeners find they can reduce watering frequency compared to other peat-free composts once they adapt to the wool's natural moisture retention.
Is sheep dip present in the wool?
No. Our own flock of Whitefaced Woodland and Cheviot sheep are treated using an oral treatment that does not transfer into the wool. Any additional wool fleeces used are processed, dip-free and safe for organic growing.
Why do you use bracken in your composts?
Bracken is naturally rich in potash (a source of potassium), which supports flowering and fruiting.
Its deep roots extract trace elements and minerals from the soil, enriching our composts. In heavier soils, the lignin in bracken can also help break down clay to improve soil structure and airflow.
The bracken we blend into our peat-free composts is also sustainably harvested as part of a bracken management scheme that benefits the local environment and supports wildlife habitats.
Does harvested bracken grow back?
We harvest bracken from the local fells surrounding our Lake District farm as part of a bracken management programme. Additional bracken is harvested from areas in similar schemes.
Sustainable bracken management is also beneficial for the environment: while harvested bracken does grow back, its reduced height helps with wildlife management and supports habitats for a variety of species, including fritillary butterflies. Learn more about the benefits of managing bracken from Cumbria Wildlife Trust.
Why do you use comfrey in your composts?
Comfrey is a fast-growing, naturally nutrient-rich plant that has high concentrations of essential minerals such as nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus.
It’s globally renowned as a ‘dynamic accumulator’ because its extensive root system draws up nutrients from deep within the soil, storing them in its leaves. When the leaves are harvested and broken down, these nutrients are then deposited back into the soil – which is the reason why comfrey is often called the organic gardener’s best friend!
Here at Dalefoot Composts, we use the sterile Comfrey ‘Bocking 14’ variety, which does not produce viable seed and is safe to use in compost. This super ingredient helps support stronger growth, larger flowers, healthier foliage and better crops.
Is there manure in your compost?
No. Dalefoot composts do not contain horse manure.
Are your composts made from green waste?
No. Dalefoot composts are made from premium organic resources and are completely free from green waste. This ensures that our composts provide a clean, predictable and structurally stable growing environment for guaranteed product consistency and perfectly balanced nutrition.
Unlike green waste-based products, our organic peat-free composts have no risk of chemical contamination from herbicides or weedkillers that can harm your crops, and no risk of spreading weed seeds or pathogens.
We only use 100% natural ingredients including bracken, sheep’s wool and comfrey that are fully traceable, locally sourced and sustainably harvested.
This allows us to produce a consistent, high-quality, completely peat-free growing media that is also Soil Association approved. That’s why every compost bag can provide long-lasting natural nutrition, excellent moisture retention and reliable growing results across a wide range of gardening applications.
Why are there white bits in my compost?
Don’t panic! These are mycelial threads and blooms, which are natural indicators of active biological life within the growing medium and are beneficial for healthy plant growth.
Plants thrive in compost with strong bacterial and fungal relationships.
Why are there flies around my compost?
Fungus gnats, also known as Sciarid flies, are attracted to damp organic material.
Our composting process reaches high temperatures that destroy any seeds or eggs, and all our composts are thoroughly checked before packing and leaving the farm.
However, fungus gnats can still appear once compost is opened and stored at home. This is because they love moist, organic and decaying material, so compost provides a perfect environment for them to thrive. They are particularly common around overwatered seed trays, pots and propagators.
To help prevent them at home:
- Store compost bags tightly sealed and in a cool, dry place
- Avoid overwatering
- Allow the compost surface to dry slightly between watering
- Ensure good drainage around pots and seedlings
- Improve airflow where possible
Why is growth slower than I expected?
Dalefoot composts don’t contain artificial fertilisers. We use 100% natural, organic ingredients that are rich in essential nutrients to provide plants with a high-quality, long-lasting feed.
This can sometimes mean that growth appears steadier in the early stages compared with composts containing synthetic feeds designed to force quick top growth.
However, as the wool, bracken and comfrey gradually break down, nutrients continue to become available naturally through the growing season.
Plants will catch up and often outperform those reliant on artificial feeds. The sustained, bioavailable nutrients in our peat-free composts allow plants to produce strong roots, healthy foliage, vibrant flowers and productive crops without the sudden flushes of growth commonly associated with artificial fertilisers.
Environmental conditions such as temperature, watering and light levels will also affect growth rates, particularly early in the season.
Why is the Seed Compost lumpier than some other seed composts?
Dalefoot’s Wool Compost for Seeds has been carefully blended to balance moisture retention with good drainage and airflow.
Some very fine seed composts can become compacted or overly wet, increasing the risk of damping off and poor root development.
The slightly more open texture of our Seed Compost helps water move through more evenly while still providing a gentle natural feed and enough moisture and humidity for optimal germination.
We have trialled our Seed Compost extensively across a wide range of seeds and found the current grind performs very well for most varieties. The only exception is for ultra-fine seeds, such as nigella seeds, which may benefit from an additional fine covering layer during sowing.
What are the NPK values of your composts?
Because our composts are made from natural ingredients rather than artificial fertilisers, nutrient values vary naturally.
Many other composts on the market contain artificial fertilisers, which allow for the exact NPK measurements seen on the bags.
Mulching and Coverage
How much area does one bag cover as mulch?
As a mulch, we recommend applying at a depth of at least 3cm.
At this depth, one bag of Lakeland Gold or Wool Compost Double Strength will cover approximately 1 square metre.
Can Dalefoot composts be used for no-dig gardening?
Yes! Our Lakeland Gold and Wool Compost Double Strength are both suitable for no-dig gardening, mulching and improving soil structure naturally. Our Wool Compost for Vegetables and Salads has also been used with great success in no dig gardening methods – check out this no dig guide by Steph Hafferty, an experienced no dig gardener, cook and writer.
Packaging and Sustainability
Is your packaging recyclable?
Standard 12, 20 and 30 litre compost bags
All of our standard compost bags (12, 20 and 30 litres) are made from 50% recycled LDPE4 plastic. The bags are designed to be thick and durable so they can also be reused multiple times.
LDPE4 is recyclable, but is not currently widely recycled via kerbside collection systems throughout the UK. Some councils accept LDPE4 for recycling, although recycling availability varies by area so it’s best to check with your Local Authority to see if it can be collected for recycling in your area.
This will soon be changing, though! The UK government’s ‘Simpler Recycling’ legislation will require plastic film packaging and plastic bags to be collected with plastic recycling in England by 31 March 2027.
However, many supermarkets across the UK already provide dedicated collection points for soft plastics, including LDPE bags.
You can use the handy Recycle Now Recycling Locator to check what items you can recycle at home or in your local area, and find nearby recycling points to your postcode.
800 and 1400 litre bulk bags of compost
Our 800 and 1400 litre bulk bags are manufactured using 30% recycled material. The woven polypropylene body material (including the handles and webbing) is 100% recyclable, where facilities allow. These bags are suitable for commercial recycling and need to be empty and baled for collection by a recognised bulk bag recycling centre.
Why is peat-free growing important?
Peatlands are some of the UK’s most valuable natural habitats. When healthy, they store huge amounts of carbon, support rare wildlife, help improve water quality and play an important role in reducing flood risk. Although peatlands cover only a relatively small proportion of the UK, they are one of our most important natural carbon stores and are vital for protecting biodiversity and the wider environment.
However, many peatlands across the UK have been damaged by drainage, land management and peat extraction for horticulture.
Peat forms extremely slowly over thousands of years, building at a rate of around 1mm per year from partly decomposed wetland plants. This means it is effectively a non-renewable resource, and once removed, it cannot be replaced within our lifetime.
Damaged peatlands also release stored carbon back into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change and the loss of important habitats.
That’s why peat-free growing has become increasingly important for gardeners and growers. The UK Government has committed to phasing out peat use in horticulture, and more gardeners are now looking for sustainable alternatives that still deliver reliable growing results.
At Dalefoot Composts, we believe gardeners shouldn’t have to choose between protecting peatlands and growing successfully. That’s why all our composts are completely peat-free and made using natural, renewable ingredients to help gardeners grow more sustainably without compromising on quality or performance.
Learn more about why peat-free growing matters.
Is Dalefoot Composts doing anything to help protect peat bogs and peatlands?
Yes!
Peatland restoration and sustainable land management are not only at the heart of how Dalefoot Composts was first developed, but they also remain the foundation of our daily operations and our sustainability mission today.
As well as farming and manufacturing peat-free composts, we are also one of the UK’s leading peatland restoration contractors. We work with organisations including Natural England, the Cairngorms National Park, South West Water and Cumbria Wildlife Trust to help restore damaged peat bogs, encourage more sustainable land management practices and protect these internationally important habitats.
Our work includes developing innovative restoration machinery and techniques used on both upland peat bogs and lowland mire to help re-wet damaged peatlands and re-establish sphagnum mosses and native bog flora. Healthy peatlands are vital for carbon storage, biodiversity, water quality and flood management.
For us, peat-free growing is about far more than simply replacing peat in compost. It’s central to everything we do – from the natural ingredients we use to the way our composts are developed on Dalefoot Farm. Our composts are part of a wider commitment to helping protect peatlands and proving gardeners can grow successfully without relying on peat.
You can read more about our work protecting UK peatlands on our Saving Peat Bogs page, where you can also watch films showing some of the peatland restoration projects we’ve helped deliver across Cumbria.
Delivery and Buying
To find information about Dalefoot Composts' pricing and delivery, please head to our Delivery and Returns page.
Can I buy Dalefoot composts online?
Yes! The full range of Dalefoot’s composts is available to order online directly from our website for fast delivery to your garden. Shop the range of peat-free composts now.
Can I buy Dalefoot composts locally?
Yes. Dalefoot Composts has over 100 stockists across the UK who stock our premium peat-free composts. View our list of stockists to find your nearest supplier.
How do I find my nearest Dalefoot stockist?
View the list of stockists on our website to find local garden centres and retailers near you that stock Dalefoot Composts.
If your local garden centre does not currently stock Dalefoot, you are welcome to ask them about our range.
Which garden centres stock Dalefoot composts?
Dalefoot composts are stocked by a wide range of garden centres, plant nurseries and specialist retailers across the UK and internationally… from London and Manchester to Glasgow, Aberystwyth and even Jersey!
Availability may vary depending on the season and the individual product range stocked by each retailer.
If you are looking for a specific compost, we recommend contacting the stockist directly to check stock before travelling.
Find a stockist here.
I am a trade customer. How can I stock Dalefoot Composts products?
We supply Dalefoot Composts products to garden centres, retailers and trade customers across the UK.
Our specialist peat-free composts are a popular choice for retailers looking for premium composts with strong environmental credentials and repeat customer demand.
The Dalefoot Composts range offers a high-performance, sustainable alternative to peat that appeals to gardeners who value provenance and natural British ingredients. Stockists can expect strong commercial benefits, including competitive trade pricing with healthy margins, high levels of customer satisfaction and consistent repeat business driven by the growing demand for reliable peat-free products. We are committed to supporting our stockists with dedicated technical assistance, point-of-sale materials and leaflets and flexible, fast delivery across the UK.
If you are interested in stocking Dalefoot Composts products, visit our Trade page on our website and contact us directly to discuss trade supply, product availability and delivery options.
Still need help?
If you have a question that is not covered here, please get in touch and our team will be happy to help!
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