For gardener desire to provide optimal nutrition for container - develop plants , John Innes No . 3 compost is a top choice . Developed in England in the 1930s , the John Innes system features science - based compost blends ideal for potting and repotting . The act mention to the formula ’s nutrient levels , with No . 3 get the highest natality for mature plants .
understand what makes John Innes No . 3 unparalleled along with right use and care will help you get the most out of this classic potting admixture .
What Is John Innes Potting Compost?
All John Innes composts portion out a common base of loam ( soil ) , peat or peat alternatives , and sand The loam provides food as well as moisture retention . The peat or substitutes meliorate drainage and aeration . grit hold back the mix wanton
On top of this initiation , fertilizers are added according to flora motivation :
The nourishing levels are carefully balanced and exhaust steady over clip . This makes John Innes ideal for container arise compare to standard potting dirt .
Why Use John Innes No. 3 Compost?
John Innes No . 3 has the gamy amount of food to feed mature shrubs , Tree , vegetable , and other plants kept in container farsighted condition .
Key Benefits:
This premium blend gives plants what they need while their roots are hold in pots . When it ’s fourth dimension to transfer to the garden , the rich John Innes premix help facilitate the transition .
How to Use John Innes No. 3 Compost
Potting – Fill container 1/3 full with crock or stones for drainage . summate compost to 1 - 2 inches below flange .
Repotting – pee the plant well first . cautiously move out from pot and loosen root word . shoes in unexampled pot with compost mix , keeping dirt stage the same .
Planting Depth – Set root ball on equation with the original soil mark on the stem turn . Planting too deeply can cause rot .
Firming – softly firm around theme removing atmosphere pocket . But do n’t overpack .
Aftercare – Water well after potting . Shelter transplant until established .
eating – Use a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2 - 4 weeks during the growing season .
Summer Crops – When plant summertime veggies like tomatoes and peppers , mix in extra compost or constituent topic .
Tips for Best Results
Store bags of fresh compost properly – Keep seal and out of sun / rainwater . Open bag will promptly lose nutrients .
Avoid compressing the mix over prison term – Repot rootbound plants before the commixture get too heavy .
aline pH if needed – expend an acidifier for alkaline soils or fluxing lime / wood ash tree to call forth pH.
Watch moisture tier – Water thoroughly when ironical but do n’t saturate . sound drainage is cardinal .
Top attire p.a. – Scratch 1 - 2 inches of new compost into the surface of container plant each spring .
go for a slow - spill granular fertilizer as the John Innes nutrients eat up each season . Or use a liquid plant food every few weeks .
Repot plant every 2 - 3 years with overbold John Innes No . 3 to replenish nutrients and provide unexampled grow room .
Common Questions
Is John Innes compost organic ?
Traditional John Innes contains mineral plant food . But there are organic options uncommitted that supplant semisynthetic ingredients with organic matter like worm casting .
Can I make my own John Innes compost ?
you could make corresponding mixes at home using soil , compost , Baroness Dudevant / perlite , and organic fertilizers . But getting the exact John Innes nutrient remainder takes visitation and error .
How long does John Innes last ?
It provides continuous alimentation for one growing season . Nutrients diminish over time . Top dress and fertilize in twelvemonth 2 . Repot in fresh intermixture by class 3 .
Can I utilise John Innes in the garden ?
It can be used in garden beds and margin but is formulated specifically for container culture . integrate with native soil is recommended when transplanting potted plants .
Is John Innes acidic or alkaline ?
Standard John Innes is slightly alkaline with a pH around 7.0 - 7.5 . Acid - loving plants need the specialized John Innes Ericaceous premix .
Give Your Plants a Nutrient Boost
Getting the most out of container requires a top - notch potting admixture like John Innes No . 3 . This sentence - try compost blend ply the stiff fertilization that plants ask when their roots are bound in lot . With the right care and handling , John Innes No . 3 will keep ripe works thrive time of year after season .
How does John Innes differ from other composts?
John Innes pot compost is much heavier than other variety because it is mostly loam , which is soil . It also has peat or a peat fill-in , sand , and fertiliser . Most loam used in compost is a mixing of sand , silt , and remains . It is sterilize to get rid of weed source , pests , and diseases .
Loam is good because it keeps giving plants nutrient and water , drains well , and has ripe complex body part and strain flow . When plants can take in and release water and nutrients well , this is sometimes visit having a high level of “ buffering . ”
For plants that live a recollective fourth dimension and are kept in peck for more than one growing season , John Innes compost is perfect . Also , plants that are vernal and have been grow in loam - base compost often do better when they are plant in the garden .
Are John Innes composts peat free?
Peat is used in the traditional recipe for John Innes composts , but some are now made with cloth other than peat .
