Fertilser - The compound fertiliser in John Innes Compost provides a wide spectrum of plant nutrients needed for balanced growth, including :- Nitrogen (for top growth Phosphates - for root growth) - Potash (for flowering and fruiting & Trace Elements for optimal growth, colour and flavor. Compost is the essential component for growing plants, except air plants and those grown using a hydroponic system. Different plants have different requirements, some acid loving plants, such as rhododendrons and azaleas absolutely must have an ericaceous compost, which is an acid compost. But some plants which prefer ericaceous compost, such as magnolias and Japanese maples, will tolerate a neutral compost provided it has plenty of nutrients and is well draining. Some plants, such as alpines, need a very free-draining compost so it must be mixed with sharp sand or horticultural grit to open up the structure enabling the water to drain away. I strongly suggest trying the peat-free mixes of John Innes,” says Horticulturist Dan Ori, “they perform well and manufacturers are not having to harvest from peat bogs to make them.

It’s worth mentioning that many plants enjoy this type of compost as it supports their growth at every stage. Making your own compost won’t take much of your time so adding it to loam will have great benefits. What Are The Benefits Of Loam Based Compost

Homemade or garden compost

Since the soil part of the media is very stable, this can be especially useful in situations where plants are placed for the long term. How To Make Loam-Based Compost Loam based composts can be beneficial because the loam helps to avoid fluctuations in water and nutrient content in the growing medium. These materials are mixed together and after a few months of decomposing the materials break down into a rich humus, ready for the garden.

But if you have peat-based compost, you might be wondering whether it will be a good idea to add loam, or a John Innes mix, to this to improve it.Can refer to either home-made garden compost or seed/potting compost: • Garden compost is a soil improver made from decomposed plant waste, usually in a compost bin or heap. It is added to soil to improve its fertility, structure and water-holding capacity. Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers - a wide range of commercially produced peat-free composts are available, made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir and sand, although you can mix your own. Compost is also suitable for vigorously-growing plants such as tomatoes and chrysanthemums. After hundreds of trials, Lawrence and Newell arrived at their two standardised composts. These formulae were published in 1938, and they became known as "John Innes composts" in the horticultural trade. [2]

Coir: Also known as coco coir, or coconut fibre, this material is made from the pith and/or outer husks of coconuts. It’s a long-lasting and effective growing medium, helping to keep soil aerated and moist, and is often used as a substitute for peat. It is worth mentioning that loam based compost is also different from humus as organic matter is decomposed (parts or the entire organic matter). The Other Ingredients In Loam Based Potting CompostJohn Innes compost was originally used primarily in the UK, but it has become trendy in other countries. If you use a mature plant compost for sowing seed the added food can be too strong for the tender seedling and will kill it; too much fertiliser can be just as harmful as not enough. Seeds also need a fine compost without any large pieces of organic matter as they may not be strong enough to push past that twig or piece of bark. Once you have germinated your seeds and they need potting on they also need a fine grained compost so that their roots can grow freely and make a strong plant. So all in all it is essential that you use the correct compost for your plants.

Lawrence and Newell, two helpful chaps who worked at the John Innes Research Institute, decided to research compost mixes. Their research ended with them producing a standard compost recipe which could be followed by any grower and give good results for a wide range of crops. And so we have John Innes composts, normally abbreviated to J.I. no.1, J.I. no 2 and J.I. no. 3, the numbers referring only to the level of fertilisers contained in each. And still today, decades after their introduction, we refer to those mixes.

Peat-free alternatives

But it is important to remember that there are certain plants that need a different formulation, that is more free draining or which contains a specific mix of nutrients. This type of loam based compost is used for young plants, cuttings that are rooted, and seedlings (potted up). John Innes Compost No.2 Barks: Mulches and barks are common compost amendments, and provide a range of benefits. They suppress the growth of weeds, regulate soil temperature and help retain moisture. Their natural decomposition also helps release nutrients, increasing soil fertility. My interest in taking tips from hydroponic growers and applying them to standard container growing, has enabled me to reduce the size of the containers I use, and my compost bill!