Apply liberally and dig in!

Gardeners can now purchase soil conditioning compost produced using Milton Keynes' food and garden waste as it is now available to buy at the council's three Community Recycling Centres (CRCs).

EnRich Compost, produced by EnViridis, is an excellent soil improver full of natural goodness for spreading on flower beds, vegetables patches and raised beds – it is not suitable for bedding plants in pots and tubs.

It is organic, peat free and made from 100% recycled materials, offering good water retention and soil enriching nutrients.

Available in 60 litre bags costing £4 each - or buy three bags for £10 - there is no limit of sale per customer. Residents can buy EnRich Compost at all three CRC sites operated by our contractor H W Martin:

Bleak Hall, Chesney Wold, MK6 1NE
Newport Pagnell, North Crawley Road, MK16 9HG
New Bradwell, Newport Road, MK13 0AH

All sites are open from 8am to 8pm April to September.

Food and garden waste placed in the green waste bins is sent to the EnVar (sister company to EnViridis) in-vessel composting facility in Cambridgeshire where it decomposes, under controlled conditions, into a soil-like substance which is used as a soil conditioner.

The compost meets PAS 100, a quality standard for compost which ensures the product is safe, and the Compost Quality Protocol.

Joanne Payne, Head of Business Development at EnVar, said: "We are delighted to be working with Milton Keynes Council and to be able to close the recycling loop by providing soil improver back to the residents who provide us with their food and green waste for recycling."

Liberal applications of the soil conditioning compost dug into vegetable patches, borders or raised beds will improve drainage, enhance soil-based nutrients and encourage strong growth and root development.

With excellent moisture holding capacity, this compost will help build a healthy layer of essential organic matter right where the plants need it.

It can also be used as a mulch around shrubs and tress to help suppress weeds.

It is not suitable for Ericaceous plants such as some Heathers, Camellias, Azaleas and Rhododendrons.

Andy Hudson, Milton Keynes Council's Head of Environment and Waste, said: "We would like to thank all our residents who help produce the soil conditioning compost by making the most of our weekly food and garden waste collection service.

"We are delighted that we can now offer it for sale, enabling residents to use our organic waste to help make their gardens thrive.

"Food waste really helps make good compost – so if you're not recycling your food waste, why not start now?"