Choosing the right compost can be a finely balanced decision, considering the complex blend of minerals, nutrients and organic matter, judged so that plants perform at their best.
Peat Free: is a more environmentally friendly alternative to conventional peat-based compost, using substitutes such as recycled green waste, coir or composted bark. Fine for all general garden uses, including containers.
Soil-based composts: heavier soil-based blends are usually mixed to the John Innes formulae in 3 grades from John Innes No1 for seedlings, to John Innes No 3 for mature shrubs.
Seed compost: fine-grade seed composts are sterilised to eliminate disease and are low nutrient, so seedlings don't get scorched.
Ericaceous compost: If you garden on neutral or alkaline soils and love acid-loving plants like rhododendrons or blueberries, choose this low-ph compost to give them just the conditions they need.
Rose Tree and Shrub composts: often soil based, these are designed to mix into planting holes to get newly-planted trees and shrubs off to a flying start.
Soil improvers: organic soil improvers like Farmyard Manure open up the soils structure, breaking up heavy clay and helping free-draining soils hold on to moisture.
The John Innes recipe:
Loam is the most important ingredient in the compost as it provides the main 'body' of the compost. It also forms the base of plant nutrition by supplying clay which absorbs and releases plant nutrients as required. Loam also contains essential micro-elements and some organic matter which provides a slow release of nitrogen to the plant.
Sphagnum Moss Peat in the John Innes Compost increases the total porosity and improves both the aeration and the water-retaining capacity. Peat decomposes slowly into humus.
Coarse sand or grit is used as a physical conditioner to allow excess water to drain from the compost and thus prevent water-logging. It also helps to provide stability for larger plants.
The compound fertiliser in John Innes Compost provides the wide spectrum of plant nutrients needed for balanced growth.
We can deliver compost within a 35 mile radius of the nursery.
Specially blended for supporting plant health. Grit-based blend. Free draining for healthy roots. Balanced slow release feed.
20-30mm mid size chips. Perfect for use in finishing beds & border areas. Protects plant roots. Superior weed control. Holds moisture for longer. Ideal for play areas.
Reduced peat compost specially formulated with the correct pH balance for lime-hating plants. Recommended Uses: Potting, containers, outdoor planting of acid beds. Feeding Recommendations: After 4-6 weeks feed every 7-14 days with liquid ericaceous plant food.
For creating attractive garden paths or simply adding a decorative finish to a rockery or alpine planting, Garden Gravel is the perfect choice. This pea-sized gravel is equally suited for mulching around plants to help retain moisture and suppress weeds, as well as improving container drainage. Washed and graded 6-10mm gravel. For creating permanent paths. Decorative finish to rockeries. Retains & suppresses weeds. Provides container drainage.
Suitable for Greenhouse, conservatory or patio use. Ideal for flowers, fruit & vegetables. Rich in potash for abundant flowering & fruiting.
For pricking out or potting-up young seedlings or rooted cuttings. This compost has a carefully balanced nutrient content to suit most young plants.
For general potting of most house plants and vegetable plants into medium size pots or boxes. Contains double the amount of nutrient in John Innes No.1 to suit established plants.
A richer mixture for final re-potting of gross feeding vegetable plants and for mature foliage plants and shrubs in interior planters or outdoor containers.
Perfect for all life stages of plants. Now suitable for seed sowing. Stronger plant development. More flowers, more vibrancy, longer plant life. Ideal for containers and hanging baskets. Now suitable for seed sowing.
Naturally peat free and organic all plant compost. Gives every plant triple the goodness.
Washed and graded 2-4mm grit. Improves drainage & opens up structure. Decorative finish for pots, containers & rockeries. Adds weight to pots & containers. Ideal for anchoring aquatic plants. Size 20kg.
Top quality screened and sterilised loam with added nutrients. Recommended Uses: Creating new gardens, building raised areas and rockeries and levelling lawns.
J Arthur Bower's Tub and Basket Compost is a reduced peat compost with added water retaining agent to help prevent compost drying out. Recommended uses are potting houseplants, containers and hanging baskets. Feeding recommendations after 4 - 6 weeks feed every 7 - 14 days with a liquid plant food. Advice: this compost is not suitable for lime-hating (ericaceous) plants.
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