Best Loam-Based Compost Mixes

Loam-based composts are arguably one of the best compost mixes for most gardens. These compost mixes, often described as “loamy”, are soft and excellent for maintaining moisture without drowning plants, making it an ideal compost mix to keep plants hydrated. 

As the name suggests, loam-based composts are made of a loam base. Loam bases consist of balanced mixtures of various mineral components – clay, silt, and sand. Fertilizer and peat is then added to the loam base to add nutrients to the soil, thus allowing for a good amount of organic matter in a well-draining soil. 

If you’re looking to make the most of your garden, you’ve got to start with choosing the right compost. Here is our guide to the best loam-based compost mixes!

Best Loam-Based Compost Mixes

Black Gold 1302040 All Organic Potting Soil

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All-purpose loam-based composts are ideal for virtually every garden. This US-made compost mix features a rich, loamy base along with peat moss, earthworm castings, perlite, organic fertilizer, bark, and pumice. This combination makes for a highly nutritious soil that is well-draining and ideal for retaining moisture. 

The Black Gold potting soil can be used for a variety of potting purposes, including indoor houseplants, outdoor plants, annuals and perennials, window boxes, beds, vegetables, fruits, and more. Its nutritional value is most beneficial for increasing the yield of fruits and vegetables. 

The only downside to this potting soil is that the high organic matter might be too strong for juvenile plants. 

Pros:

• Versatile – Suitable for many potting purposes
• Highly nutritious – High organic matter keeps plants, vegetables, fruits, and flowers healthy
• Well-draining – Retains moisture without keeping the soil too dry or damp

Cons:

• Very rich – Rich nutrients might be too overwhelming for young plants, resulting in burning

Also available to purchase at:

Black Gold

Conrad Fafard 4000108 Premium Organic Compost

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If you need a bog-standard, nutritious, and balanced loam-based compost for your flower beds and vegetable gardens, look no further. The Conrad Fafard compost is made of an organic formula, featuring a loam base with a blend of shrimp and seaweed. While this might seem an interesting combination, these are organic materials that help to elevate the levels of nitrogen in the compost – and therefore the plants! 

As a result of the shrimp and seaweed ingredients, this compost doesn’t have the most appealing aroma. While it won’t alter the taste or scent of vegetables or flowers, it will work to attract bugs and pollinators, which is why it’s best to be used for outdoor gardens. 

Pros:

• Organic blend – Seaweed and shrimp help to elevate nitrogen levels
• Attracts pollinators – Scent brings in pollinators such as bees and butterflies
• Increases yield – Improves yield and size of flowers 

Cons:

• Smell – Not suitable for indoor use 

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Famous Microgreens

Espoma AP8 8-Quart Organic Potting Mix

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The Espoma AP8 Organic Potting Mix is most ideal for retaining moisture. While all loam-based composts share the same ability, this potting mix features more clay in its formula, which helps to reduce the stress of drought. The sphagnum peat moss and peat humus ingredients help to allow for good drainage to prevent waterlogging. 

Not only this, but peat moss and humus are forms of organic matter that help to prevent the build-up of harmful organisms. It’s about as natural and organic as you can get! Other nutrients in the formula include kelp meal and earthworm castings, so you don’t have to worry about fertilizing your plants. 

Pros:

• Moisture retention – Clay-heavy loam base retains moisture to reduce drought stress
• Organic – Peat moss and humus prevent build-up of harmful organisms
• Nutritious – Provides plants with necessary nutrition without the need of fertilizer

Cons:

• Not for cacti – Moisture retention quality means this isn’t suitable for plants that require dry soil

Also available to purchase at:

Espoma

Organic Plant Magic Compressed Potting Soil

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The key to a beneficial loam-based potting mix is to find one that expands the soil granules at least twice its size from water. This Organic Plant Magic soil does just that, with the soil granules expanding 4 times larger than the original size, allowing for moisture retention and enough room for drainage and oxygenation. 

The potting soil is filled with non-toxic and organic ingredients including earthworm castings, amino acids, helpful bacteria, coconut coir, and more. This is ideal for ensuring your plants, flowers, and vegetables are filled with nutrition. 

Pros:

• Versatile – Suitable for indoor and outdoor use 
• Expands when watered – Retains moisture while allowing for drainage 
• Organic – All-natural and beneficial ingredients 

Cons:

• Price – Some reviewers say this potting soil is overpriced 

Also available to purchase at: 

Organic Plant Matter

Burpee Organic Premium Potting Mix

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The key to a great potting mix is to find one with enough nutritional value to reduce the need to fertilize the soil. This Burpee potting mix is enriched with organic plant food designed to maintain, grow, and produce fabulous flowers, plants, and tasty fruits and vegetables with heightened yields. The plant food is released slowly over 3 months to prevent overwhelming the plants. 

Coconut coir is a prominent ingredient in this potting mix formula. This is designed to maintain moisture (to prevent your plants from drying out) whilst providing enough room in the soil for drainage to prevent root rot. This loam-based soil isn’t too rich in nutrients, making it highly versatile for plants of all ages.

Pros:

• Low in nutrients – Versatile for plants in all settings (indoor and outdoor) including juveniles
• Included plant food – Slow-release plant food keeps plants thriving without stress
• Moisture retention – Coconut coir keeps plants hydrated without risk of root rot

Cons:

• Risk of overfeeding – Remember the plant food is released slowly, and not to overfeed the soil with fertilizer

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Burpee

Rio Hamza Trading Hoya Potting Mix

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The Hoya potting mix is made of all-natural materials including charcoal, perlite, peat moss, lime, pine bark, and earthworm castings. Not only are these accompanied by a loam base, but these all-natural materials are ideal for retaining moisture and organic matter, which is essential for plant growth. The inclusion of charcoal is particularly handy for tropical plants, as charcoal naturally appears in their native soil. 

Another reason why this potting mix is so popular amongst gardeners is because of its price point. These bags are sold in one-gallon sizes, meaning you don’t have to worry about constantly buying more overpriced smaller bags. 

Pros:

• All-natural materials – No added chemicals to allow for complete natural growth
• Charcoal – Charcoal material is ideal for tropical plants
• Affordable – Large bag sizes for a low price 

Cons:

• Could be looser – Throw in orchid bark for looser soil 

Fishnure Organic Humus Compost Fertilizer

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Fish manure might sound like an odd material to have in compost, but if animal manure is such a commonly included material, then it makes sense to use fish waste, too. This is a humus compost that is designed to maintain moisture whilst allowing for frequent aeration to prevent waterlogging and root rot, making it suitable for indoor and outdoor planting. 

The fish manure ingredient helps to keep the soil fertile with essential nutrients, which are slowly released into the plants for several months. The microscopic clay particles are bound with the organic matter of the fish manure, thus enhancing the organic matter as it continues to decompose. 

Despite the fish manure, this compost is surprisingly odorless and doesn’t smell like fish. 

Pros:

• Eco-friendly – Uses organic fish waste as fertilizer
• High in nutrients – Filled with essential nutrients for plant growth and increased yield
• Slow-release fertilizer – Lasts a long time without starving or overwhelming plants of nutrients

Cons:

• Needs more organic matter – Could benefit from organic bark mixed in

Also available to purchase at:

Fishnure

Michigan Peat 5240 Garden Magic Compost and Manure 

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Animal manure is a highly beneficial material for composts. While fresh animal manure can be harmful when come into contact with plants, fruits, and vegetables (not to mention the odor), composted animal manure contains a variety of natural nutrients that are vital for plant growth. This includes nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, and micro-nutrients. Plus, it’s a good way to prevent waste. 

This Michigan Peat compost also contains organic reed sedge peat, which helps to retain moisture while allowing for good drainage. The natural nutrients within this soil makes it ideal for a range of planting purposes, including pots, beds, raised beds, and container growing. 

Pros:

• Natural nutrients – Filled with essential nutrients for plants to thrive 
• Free from odor – Animal manure is blended to prevent odor and foul tasting vegetables
• Versatile – Light and ideal for a range of potting uses 

Cons:

• Might need to be mixed – Will benefit from mixing twigs and bark to help air the soil 

Also available to purchase at:

Michigan Peat

Harvest Gold Organics – Organic Soil Conditioner

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While not a highly loamy product, the Harvest Fold Organics soil is a great soil conditioner for its silica and nutritional content. Silica has beneficial alkalizing effects to reduce the risk of acidic stress, which is then blended with other naturally occurring micronutrients that are essential for plant growth and resilience. 

This soil conditioner is designed to enhance the quality of the soil and plants, making it highly useful for an array of purposes – including flowers, herbs, vegetables, lawns, trees, shrubs, and more. Plus, as it’s made from non-toxic materials, it’s safe for pets to accidentally consume!

Pros:

• Reduces acidity – Alkalizing effects prevent plants from stress
• Essential nutrients – Organic, non-toxic blend of nutrients encourages growth and durability
• Versatile – Suitable for lawns, flowers, vegetables, shrubs, and more

Cons:

• Needs more loam – Works best when peat moss is added

Also available to purchase at:

Harvest Gold

Conclusion

Overall, loam-based compost mixes are undoubtedly the best for growing an array of flowers, plants, vegetables, fruits, shrubs, trees, and more. 

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