obleixx I am getting multi compost with john innes what ever john innes is , is this ok ?
Pete -- I remember you mentioned JI but would one bag suffice for one of my large pots and 2 of my smaller ones ? for the rosemary , oregano and thyme ? Or would I need 2 as I think you mentioned I only need 1/5th ratio of grit to compost
As you can appreciate i am getting a bit confused but the westland multi compost with john innes I hope is ok as it provides good drainage and nutrients ,
The problem with mpc is that it looks lovely (or should) when it comes out of the bag, but it's really designed for tubs/hanging baskets etc that will have annuals of some description in them - they die at the end of the season and you chuck the lot on the compost heap. By the end of one season mpc has lost most of its usefulness
If you're growing plants in containers long-term, you need something more substantial - John Innes looks like lovely topsoil. I note the RHS article suggests JI no1 as it's low in nutrients and will help treat 'em mean and get the best flavour.
I'd use your mpc with JI for basil and other annual herbs
P.S. JI is heavy and comes in small bags (15 or 20kg I think) probably about 20 litres in a bag
Last edited: 16 April 2017 21:13:09
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Most composts contain nutrients for a maximum 90 days' consumption. JI 1 is for seeds and cuttings. JI 2 is for potting on and plants that need less food. JI 3 has the highest nutrient levels and, crucially, all JIs have the drainage you need.
MPC gets claggy and can be hard to re-wet if it gets dry. Not ideal for herbs.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
John Innes is a horticultural research establishment (founded by a man called John Innes) which set out specific mixes of different constituents - loam, peat, sand and fertilisers - to suit the requirements as Obelixx has outlined. It's not a brand or a 'thing' or even a person now.
Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
(without Googling) John Innes must have been a Victorian Gardening demi-God who developed mixes for planting.
As previously explained, "His" formulae were developed for specific purposes.
When someone tells you to put JI in your pot, I take this as meaning that it needs soil not "commercial compost". Commercial compost (be it your Westland stuff with added John Innes, or any other brand) has been dosed with chemicals to simulate stuff that's in soil. Bit like your cornflakes that have added vitamins or an even better analogy is dog kibble that simulates meat!!!
Not sure if this explanation helps? If not, ask again but if I were you (or if you were me!!), I'd stick your herbs in the ground in the sun and water them.
John Innes or JI is a loam based compost. ie like good topsoil. It has nutrients added to it. And is used as above postings. Your multi- purpose compost is used as above ie for annuals and such like. Although it has JI added to it, it will be in very small quantities and not much use for perennials and herbs. On the whole, JI compost is more free draining and is easier to wet when dry. By the sound of it, you intend to grow your herbs for years in the pots. JI is the better compost to use. If you were to purchase fresh plants every year, then you could use multi-purpose with grit added to it.
'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
Ah the trouble I am having calculating volume to fill my raised beds. Doing measurements in cubic cms or cubic litres and all the decimal points involved was enough to give me a screaming headache.
I am now on my 3rd cubic meter bag of soil now with another on the edge of my front lawn waiting for me to fill in the dips. I now have no idea whether I will run out of soil or have a mountain left.
Posts
obleixx I am getting multi compost with john innes what ever john innes is , is this ok ?
Pete -- I remember you mentioned JI but would one bag suffice for one of my large pots and 2 of my smaller ones ? for the rosemary , oregano and thyme ? Or would I need 2 as I think you mentioned I only need 1/5th ratio of grit to compost
As you can appreciate i am getting a bit confused but the westland multi compost with john innes I hope is ok as it provides good drainage and nutrients ,
I've grown herbs in dust/dry clay/clinkers so I wouldn't worry too much. A lot of herbs like it hot, not too nutritious and dry in my experience.
Have a look at this article from the RHS - it will give you ideas.
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=142
The problem with mpc is that it looks lovely (or should) when it comes out of the bag, but it's really designed for tubs/hanging baskets etc that will have annuals of some description in them - they die at the end of the season and you chuck the lot on the compost heap. By the end of one season mpc has lost most of its usefulness
If you're growing plants in containers long-term, you need something more substantial - John Innes looks like lovely topsoil. I note the RHS article suggests JI no1 as it's low in nutrients and will help treat 'em mean and get the best flavour.
I'd use your mpc with JI for basil and other annual herbs
P.S. JI is heavy and comes in small bags (15 or 20kg I think) probably about 20 litres in a bag
Last edited: 16 April 2017 21:13:09
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Most composts contain nutrients for a maximum 90 days' consumption. JI 1 is for seeds and cuttings. JI 2 is for potting on and plants that need less food. JI 3 has the highest nutrient levels and, crucially, all JIs have the drainage you need.
MPC gets claggy and can be hard to re-wet if it gets dry. Not ideal for herbs.
I am confused though as my MPC has JI
what is JI
John Innes is a horticultural research establishment (founded by a man called John Innes) which set out specific mixes of different constituents - loam, peat, sand and fertilisers - to suit the requirements as Obelixx has outlined. It's not a brand or a 'thing' or even a person now.
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
(without Googling) John Innes must have been a Victorian Gardening demi-God who developed mixes for planting.
As previously explained, "His" formulae were developed for specific purposes.
When someone tells you to put JI in your pot, I take this as meaning that it needs soil not "commercial compost". Commercial compost (be it your Westland stuff with added John Innes, or any other brand) has been dosed with chemicals to simulate stuff that's in soil. Bit like your cornflakes that have added vitamins or an even better analogy is dog kibble that simulates meat!!!
Not sure if this explanation helps? If not, ask again but if I were you (or if you were me!!), I'd stick your herbs in the ground in the sun and water them.
They'll grow, it's their job
John Innes or JI is a loam based compost. ie like good topsoil. It has nutrients added to it. And is used as above postings. Your multi- purpose compost is used as above ie for annuals and such like. Although it has JI added to it, it will be in very small quantities and not much use for perennials and herbs. On the whole, JI compost is more free draining and is easier to wet when dry. By the sound of it, you intend to grow your herbs for years in the pots. JI is the better compost to use. If you were to purchase fresh plants every year, then you could use multi-purpose with grit added to it.
Ah the trouble I am having calculating volume to fill my raised beds. Doing measurements in cubic cms or cubic litres and all the decimal points involved was enough to give me a screaming headache.
I am now on my 3rd cubic meter bag of soil now with another on the edge of my front lawn waiting for me to fill in the dips. I now have no idea whether I will run out of soil or have a mountain left.
'You must have some bread with it me duck!'
The law of pragmatism states that you should buy some, use it, if you need more, buy more.