I am trying to grow organic veg but I'm very confused as to what make of compost to buy from the garden centre as my own compost is not really ready this year. Any ideas? After reading the above posts, recycled compost doesn't look very appealing.
There are good organic composts out there, by it's very nature, compost is recycled - though recycled what is often the question these days. Quite honestly the best way is to buy a small bag of one kind of orgainic compost and see how it is - if no good, then try another - there is no easy or guaranteed brand at present - though some seem worse than others going by some peoples experiences.
Jphn Innes is a set of formulations - sterilised loam, sand, peat, lime, fertilizers, first developed in the John Innes Research Institute in the 1930's. It is not a brand. Different manufacturers make John Innes formulations. Some make multipurpose compost 'with added John Innes' - but it might be 5% or 10% John innes - they don't tell you , so don't be taken in.
John Innes Seed - does what it says
John Innes No1 - for pricking out - potting on
John Innes No 2, for hosue plants, window boxes, hanging baskets etc
John Innes No 3 - for shrubs that are going to be in pots for the duration - Japanese maples, dwarf magnolias etc. - contains longer lasting fertilizers
John Innes Ericacious - for rhododendrons, camellias etc. that prefer acid soil.
Many thanks for your help. I did buy a bag of organic last year (think it was New Horizon) but I wasn't overly impressed but it could have been the weather.
I normally by B+Q's own brand - Verve and haven't had any issues with it, this bag which I purchased a few weeks ago has bits of plastic in it. Im thinking of taking it back and complaing - unless people complain nothing will get done to improve the quality.
but on opening a bale of miracle grow to try it, the compost has masses of white stuff on the surface of the compost......Is this some type of mold or fertilizer or what??
It doesn't look particularly appealing.....what is it??
gratefull for advice on a 'new' garden: lovely dark soil dries out fast; how would you advise improving its 'moisture retentive' qualities? I don't have access to compost yet, but would be happy to buy initially for this season.
I have followed this thread, as I did last year on compost. I used JAB year before last and from late last year to now have a wonderful selection of new weeds growing, which I am sure came from that batch. Last year I tried the garden centres own brand, less weeds but no real good results, so this year I am trying Levington's So far so good, but who knows.
I use mine for seedlings, potting on and for mulching, as well as digging into my wonderful (solid) clay soil along with grit, when I plant anything new, so do manage to get through a reasonable amount.
Sadly like Andy the Scientist I can't find New Horizon anywhere locally and to buy online usually means large quantities, then I have the problem of storage and OH is less than enthusiastic about piles of bags of compost everywhere!
Posts
I am trying to grow organic veg but I'm very confused as to what make of compost to buy from the garden centre as my own compost is not really ready this year. Any ideas? After reading the above posts, recycled compost doesn't look very appealing.
There are good organic composts out there, by it's very nature, compost is recycled - though recycled what is often the question these days. Quite honestly the best way is to buy a small bag of one kind of orgainic compost and see how it is - if no good, then try another - there is no easy or guaranteed brand at present - though some seem worse than others going by some peoples experiences.
Jphn Innes is a set of formulations - sterilised loam, sand, peat, lime, fertilizers, first developed in the John Innes Research Institute in the 1930's. It is not a brand. Different manufacturers make John Innes formulations. Some make multipurpose compost 'with added John Innes' - but it might be 5% or 10% John innes - they don't tell you , so don't be taken in.
John Innes Seed - does what it says
John Innes No1 - for pricking out - potting on
John Innes No 2, for hosue plants, window boxes, hanging baskets etc
John Innes No 3 - for shrubs that are going to be in pots for the duration - Japanese maples, dwarf magnolias etc. - contains longer lasting fertilizers
John Innes Ericacious - for rhododendrons, camellias etc. that prefer acid soil.
You are right, but there is a seed sowing one as well as 1, 2, and 3 - I have used that with some sucess the last coule of seasons.
Many thanks for your help. I did buy a bag of organic last year (think it was New Horizon) but I wasn't overly impressed but it could have been the weather.
I normally by B+Q's own brand - Verve and haven't had any issues with it, this bag which I purchased a few weeks ago has bits of plastic in it. Im thinking of taking it back and complaing - unless people complain nothing will get done to improve the quality.
I think I'm going to look foolish here,
but on opening a bale of miracle grow to try it, the compost has masses of white stuff on the surface of the compost......Is this some type of mold or fertilizer or what??
It doesn't look particularly appealing.....what is it??
gratefull for advice on a 'new' garden: lovely dark soil dries out fast; how would you advise improving its 'moisture retentive' qualities? I don't have access to compost yet, but would be happy to buy initially for this season.
I have followed this thread, as I did last year on compost. I used JAB year before last and from late last year to now have a wonderful selection of new weeds growing, which I am sure came from that batch. Last year I tried the garden centres own brand, less weeds but no real good results, so this year I am trying Levington's So far so good, but who knows.
I use mine for seedlings, potting on and for mulching, as well as digging into my wonderful (solid) clay soil along with grit, when I plant anything new, so do manage to get through a reasonable amount.
Sadly like Andy the Scientist I can't find New Horizon anywhere locally and to buy online usually means large quantities, then I have the problem of storage and OH is less than enthusiastic about piles of bags of compost everywhere!
yryinc, This U dud