True Gifts 40L Planting Soil Review: Multi-Purpose Compost for Indoor & Outdoor Vegetable Growth
Enterthedeals True Gifts 40L Premium Planting Soil
True Gifts 40L Planting Soil Review: Multi-Purpose Compost for Indoor & Outdoor Vegetable Growth
Introduction
This review covers the True Gifts 40L Premium Planting Soil — a multi-purpose compost marketed for indoor and outdoor vegetable growing and general garden use. The product is sold under the True Gifts brand and is positioned as a ready-to-use, all-purpose gardening soil that “supports healthy growth” of vegetables, herbs and container plants. The tested retail price for this 40-litre bag was approximately $24.3.
Brief Product Overview
Manufacturer: True Gifts
Product category: Premium planting soil / multi-purpose compost (40 L bag)
Intended use: Potting, container planting, raised bed top-up, seed-starting and general garden use for vegetables, herbs and ornamentals.
Appearance, Materials & Design
The product arrives in a standard plastic printed bag (40L), compacted for shipping. Once opened, the soil reveals a dark brown, loamy blend with a crumbly texture that is typical of multi-purpose composts. The texture struck me as a balance between moisture-retentive fines and slightly coarser particles for drainage — there were a few small fibrous particles and very occasional woody fragments, which is normal for composted mixes.
Aesthetic-wise the soil is unremarkable but functional: it looks like a quality garden compost rather than a straight peat or pure bark substrate. There were no strong chemical odors — just a mild earthy smell. Packaging is practical for retail, but the bag is not resealable (common for this product type), so you’ll want to transfer unused soil to a dry container or reseal with tape.
Key Features & Specifications
- Volume: 40 litres (sufficient for multiple small pots or to top up a small raised bed)
- Product type: Multi-purpose planting soil / compost
- Intended use: Indoor & outdoor vegetables, herbs, ornamentals, seed-starting and container gardening
- Texture: Loamy crumb structure (balance of moisture retention and drainage)
- Ready-to-use: No pre-mixing required for general potting and top-dressing
- Retail price at test time: $24.3
- Packaging: Standard heavy-duty printed plastic bag (non resealable)
Experience Using the Product
Seed Starting and Small Pots
For seed starting (lettuce, basil, pepper seedlings) I used the mix straight from the bag in small 7–9 cm plug trays and small pots. Germination was reliable and seedlings established quickly. The fine portion of the mix held moisture well without becoming waterlogged, which helped reduce transplant shock. For very small seeds I advise mixing a little finer medium or a seed-starting mix on top — the compost is slightly heavier than a specialist seed mix.
Container Vegetables (Tomatoes, Peppers, Herbs)
I used the soil in 10–15 L pots for cherry tomatoes, peppers and mixed herbs. Plants responded positively: good early growth, healthy leaf color and steady development. The compost’s moisture retention meant slightly less frequent watering than a purely gritty mix, but drainage remained adequate when pots had good holes. After 6–8 weeks, I supplemented with a balanced liquid feed as the crop load increased — the mix provides initial nutrients but is not a long-term slow-release fertilizer on its own.
Raised Beds and Garden Top-Up
As a top-dressing and to refresh a small raised vegetable bed, the soil blended well with existing garden loam. It improved the surface texture and moisture retention without creating a waterlogged layer. Incorporating it into the top 10–15 cm of a bed helped new transplants establish quicker. For wide area soil improvement, multiple bags or a larger bulk product would be more economical.
Indoor Plants and Houseplants
I tried the mix for a couple of houseplants (pothos and spider plant) with good results for a trial period. Because houseplants prefer lighter, faster-draining mixes, I recommend mixing True Gifts 40L compost with perlite or horticultural grit (2:1 mix) for indoor potted plants to improve aeration and reduce the risk of root rot.
General Observations & Longevity
– Moisture retention: noticeably better than straight sandy mixes but not overly heavy.
– Drainage: acceptable for most container and bed uses; improve with added grit/perlite for specific crops.
– Nutrient support: good initial nutrition for seedlings and short-term container use; supplement for heavy-feeding crops (tomatoes, cucumbers) after a few weeks.
– Pests/odour: no issues observed — soil was clean and free of pests or strong smell out of the bag.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Versatile, true “multi-purpose” compost usable for indoor and outdoor planting.
- Good loamy texture: balance of moisture retention and drainage for many vegetable and herb needs.
- Reliable performance for seed starting and container vegetables; seedlings established quickly.
- Reasonable price point for a 40 L bag (tested price $24.3).
- No strong odors or contamination detected out of the bag.
Cons
- Bag is compacted and non-resealable — leftover soil needs transfer to another container for storage.
- Not marketed as a long-term slow-release fertiliser; heavy feeders will need additional feeding.
- Occasional small fibrous/woody fragments — not a problem for most uses but may need sifting for very fine seed mixes.
- For some indoor plants, the mix can be slightly heavy and benefits from amendment with perlite or grit.
Conclusion
True Gifts 40L Premium Planting Soil is a solid, no-nonsense multi-purpose compost that performs well across a range of garden scenarios. It is particularly good for seed starting, container vegetables and refreshing raised beds. Its loamy texture delivers a useful balance of water retention and drainage, promoting steady early growth and healthy-looking plants.
The product’s main limitations are practical rather than performance-based: the non-resealable bag and the need to supplement nutrients for long-term heavy-feeding crops. If you want a dependable general-purpose compost for vegetables and herbs that delivers consistent results, this is a good value option at the tested price of $24.3 for 40 litres. For specialist needs (very fine seed-starting mix, peat-free certification, or built-in long-term slow-release fertilizer) you may prefer a dedicated specialist product or to amend this mix accordingly.
Overall rating (informal): Recommended for home gardeners looking for a reliable, versatile planting soil for vegetables and containers. Consider minor amendments depending on crop type and indoor vs outdoor use.
