Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

Cultivation => Composts => Topic started by: JPB on August 19, 2012, 11:06:46 AM

Title: Picking up John Innes in the UK
Post by: JPB on August 19, 2012, 11:06:46 AM: I've picked up a few bags of Godwins JI nr.2 in the Glastonbury area. I'm not blown away by the quality. Almost no humus content, and a blackish color with glass pieces. Heavy and clumpy so I had to sieve it and dry it before use..I will use it anyway, but there may be better JI-brands around?

Well, a friend of mine is visiting Lancaster in a few weeks and can take a few bags of JI to Holland.
Are there garden centra in Lancaster selling good JI composts? Westland seems to be fairly good?

Any help appreciated!
Title: Re: Picking up John Innes in the UK
Post by: Gerry Webster on August 19, 2012, 11:30:48 AM: Hans - I find it difficult to recommend any brand of JI. None I have encountered seems to follow the original formula. The 'loam' is frequently dust or silt & the peat is full of rubbish. That said, I use Levington (which is not much better than most) for bulbs but with the addition of 6mm grit it seems to work.
Title: Re: Picking up John Innes in the UK
Post by: Pennine Wanderer on August 19, 2012, 01:53:52 PM: Hans, Keith Singleton's J I composts are used by Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh and are not as lumpy as some of the better known brands. The web site address is cumbriagardensand pets direct.co.uk and they are based in West Cumbria. If you were to give them a ring on 01946 820412 they could tell you where in the country they are available. I was speaking to Mr Singleton recently when he was just about to make a delivery in Cambridgeshire.
Title: Re: Picking up John Innes in the UK
Post by: David Nicholson on August 19, 2012, 06:54:07 PM: Hans, if you had gone a little further north(ish) on the A39 from Glastonbury, through Wells and to the junction of the A39 and the B3135 at Green Ore (about 12 miles) you would have arrived at Smith's compost making plant where Green Ore composts are manufactured. They are still made in the traditional way to the traditional JI formula and, until the 'Eco Warriors' in the RHS struck on the issue of peat use, they were used at Wisley. I used to use them but given the price of diesel these days I baulk at the 200 mile plus round trip for me.
Title: Re: Picking up John Innes in the UK
Post by: Susan Band on August 20, 2012, 07:27:04 AM: I have been trying Keith Singletons, 1 bag of alpine/ 1/2 bag composted bark. It feels good but I will have to wait until next year for the results :)
Susan
Title: Re: Picking up John Innes in the UK
Post by: JPB on August 20, 2012, 07:45:12 AM: Thanks for the suggestions. I will contact Keith Singleton's composts. As far as I can see he will be delivering in the Lancaster area, which would be great :)

David, don't rub it in :'( ;D I acually drove through Green Ore on our way to Wells not knowing I could have easily picked up some bags at Smith... I should have done my homework better..

Hans
Title: Re: Picking up John Innes in the UK
Post by: mark smyth on August 20, 2012, 07:48:05 AM: Dont buy Westland's. It is full of peat, grit and sand
Title: Re: Picking up John Innes in the UK
Post by: Darren on August 20, 2012, 08:00:21 AM: I've recommended Keith Singleton before and do so again.
Title: Re: Picking up John Innes in the UK
Post by: mark smyth on August 20, 2012, 01:33:47 PM: Nowhere in N Ireland sells JI as it should be. I'll show a photo of Homebase JI2 later
Title: Re: Picking up John Innes in the UK
Post by: LucS on August 20, 2012, 04:42:43 PM: Quote from: mark smyth on August 20, 2012, 01:33:47 PM
Nowhere in N Ireland sells JI as it should be. I'll show a photo of Homebase JI2 later
The same situation for us in Belgium Marc >:(
Title: Re: Picking up John Innes in the UK
Post by: Michael J Campbell on August 20, 2012, 05:08:27 PM: The best JI I ever got was made by Erin and sold by LIDL at €2-99 for 25 litres of no 2. It was on sale about three months ago, I bought one bag to test it and when I saw the quality I went back and filled the car with bags. They have not had it in stock since.
Title: Re: Picking up John Innes in the UK
Post by: mark smyth on August 25, 2012, 02:28:24 PM: Homebase JI2 - identical to my eye as Westland top soil and JI
Title: Re: Picking up John Innes in the UK
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on August 25, 2012, 02:45:18 PM: After having tried a few different brands in the past we've been converted to bringing home Rosedale over the last few years. (a tip fom David Hoare :D )
Quite happy with that !
Title: Re: Picking up John Innes in the UK
Post by: JPB on September 26, 2012, 01:03:25 PM: My friend picked up three bags of Keith Singleton JI2 in Lancaster and I must say that I was pleasantly surprised. Crumbly with loose, non clumping loam and the right amount of humus. Water retention is very good without the soil getting sogged as the drainage is perfect. Thanks for your help :)
Title: Re: Picking up John Innes in the UK
Post by: Darren on September 26, 2012, 03:14:36 PM: Good to hear you are pleased with it Hans. Hope your friend enjoyed his visit to Lancaster too!

Just noticed this is my 1000th post :)
Title: Re: Picking up John Innes in the UK
Post by: Maggi Young on September 26, 2012, 07:04:36 PM: Quote from: Darren on September 26, 2012, 03:14:36 PM
Good to hear you are pleased with it Hans. Hope your friend enjoyed his visit to Lancaster too!

Just noticed this is my 1000th post :)
Congratulations, Darren- I feel the need for a cuppa and a piece of cake to celebrate. ;) :)
Title: Re: Picking up John Innes in the UK
Post by: Anthony Darby on October 05, 2012, 09:33:35 AM: I wish we could get something similar here. Without loam the compost dries out so fast.
Title: Re: Picking up John Innes in the UK
Post by: David Nicholson on October 05, 2012, 11:30:39 AM: Welcome to the Darby's of New Zealand compost manufacturing plant :P

A nice little business opportunity for you Anthony.
Title: Re: Picking up John Innes in the UK
Post by: ChrisB on October 05, 2012, 06:59:17 PM: Isn't that a good idea Anthony? May be a way to make a small fortune....
Title: Re: Picking up John Innes in the UK
Post by: Anthony Darby on October 06, 2012, 02:29:26 AM: It's a thought, but I would need a sense of humous! ::)