Why use compost - a thought.

Thanks frogesque, I have seen the formulae for John Innes compost before but had forgotten it. I think all I am describing is the John Innes formulae, but using loam from the garden. I always add fertiliser, but as a seperate action. Some slow release below the roots when I put a plant in and then regular feeds.

The main difference is Chalk/Lime. Why add that - I assume that it is to counter the acidity of the peat. But if your compost is not/low peat based, I assume you don't need it.

As you say Tropical Oasis - Clay, grit and manure is enough to make anyone happy. :D

 

PeterS:

I only add lime for lavender, carnations and the like as most soil round here is naturally on the acid side. The history of JI mixtures was to produce a standard growing media that would work anywhere. For instance, if your soil is naturally gritty and free draining it shouldn't need grit added, clay loam will need it.

I'm not overly fussy about compost and I tend to use 7/12 of whatever soil I can access at the time and then make up the remaining 5/12 with any garden compost, commecial peat free compost, grit and slow release fertiliser I can lay hand to. Apart from greenhouse plants and a few planters most of what I grow will go into local gardens anyway so they might as well get used to the soil from the begining.

I tend to work on a, 'if it looks right, smells right, and feels right then it's OK ', principle when mixing it up :D

 

Lovely pic TO

 

Hi thanks johnbinks, I aim to please! Just love tropical gardening makes you feel permanently on holiday. I wont even let my son bounce his ball in the garden never mind play ball!! but then we do have 2 huge greens at the front of the house where they play football.

 

Must admit my garden just isn't suited to any type of ball game. I do frequently find the odd tennis ball lost by neighbours kids. I find that piersing a small hole in them and placing them on the tops of canes prevents loss of an eye when bending down to do a bit of weeding. That is if they don't come and ask for them back first.