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Welcome to the Garden Guru!

You will find lots of useful information on compost, composting and all things grow your own, from hints and tips to step by step how to guides on all sorts of interesting subjects.

Browse through all our garden guru's articles below to find the subject you are interested in.

If the article you  are looking for is not here, just ask The Compost Shop Garden Guru and he will get back to you as quickly as possible with the answers you are looking for!

Veg Boxes: Self-sustainable 2015

With people all over the country tightening their belts, now is the perfect time to become self-sustainable in 2015 by growing your own veg in your garden, or even on your windowsill if you don't have a garden or outdoor space. 

We provide veg kits that will get you started growing fruit and veg for your family to eat year round, saving valuable pounds in your wallet and probably your stomach too. There's nothing more satisfying than harvesting and eating your home-grown fruit and veg, whether it's making a apple and blackberry pie or mashing your own spuds for the Sunday roast. 

All of our starter boxes will include a baby plant which we will deliver to your door when they season is right for you to start growing them. Once you have tasted success with our starter packs we are sure that you will continue to grow your veg year round.

One thing about setting up your veg plot is key, the compost has to be right. The advantage of most veg is that they are able to survive in all but the most extreme composts, with ones that are too acidic or alkaline often stunting growth, even if they do not kill the plant. Results with all kinds of compost may vary, but our selection of organic compost is a great place to start. You could also take a look at our peat free compost and multi purpose compost to find the right one for your plot.

A great place to start is with herbs. Herbs are cheap and will provide year round flavour if looked after well. They are hardy enough to be grown anywhere from the window ledge to a flowerbed, making them an ideal starter plant for the budding farmer.

Our herb starter packs include all the main tastes that will improve any dish, such as parsley, rosemary, basil, chives and mint. Once you have got the hang of herbs you could move on to something that's a bit more challenging. 

Our range of veg garden starter packs varies depending on the kind of veg you want to grow. We have options for the windowbox grower, ideal for flats or small spaces; right ot the large veg garden pack that includes numerous plants of cauliflower, lettuces, green beans, onions and more.

A great starter pack to introduce you to growing veg, especially in spring, is the salad garden pack. This includes everything you will find in most salads such as tomatoes, onions and lettuce; as well as some more exotic plants like radishes, dwarf beans and even giant red mustard! 

Getting the hang of self-sustaining your beg garden takes time, but it will all be worthwhile when you are harvesting a bumper crop for your summer salads or winter root veg. If you have an excess of produce, why not sell it at a local market or even offer it to the neighbours. 

Palletised Delivery Service

Businesses in the trade rely on our delivery service and we provide companies across the UK with the best quality compost, topsoil and manure; always on time.

We have a thorough and efficient method of handling and transporting supplies, delivering bulk loads nationwide through a fleet of 30 tonne articulated loads.

Read more …Palletised Delivery Service

John Innes Compost

John Innes Compost No.1, 2 & 3

John Innes Compost’s contain a mixture of loam, sand, grit and fertiliser. Each of the John Innes Compost’s are produced, in various ratios, to produce a more specific compost. All of the John Innes Compost’s are soil based.

Buy John Innes Compost

What do we use it for?

The main purposes for John Innes are; sowing of seeds and rooting cuttings, large seed sowing, pricking out, potting up, final potting and mature plants. All of the John Innes products, simply offer a different level of nutrients to boost initial growth all the way until the final result. Our most popular compost, John Innes no3 compost is a rich mixture that is intended for final potting or for the re-potting of mature plants. If you want a general potting compost for everyday use, then John Innes no2 compost is perfect. John Innes no2 has excellent soil structure, and includes sand which promotes drainage and provides stability for larger plants. A perfect everyday compost.

What is it made of?

Loam - Loam is the most important ingredient in all John Innes compost, supplying the main body of the compost. The loam supplies the nutrition needed for the base of the plant, which helps to absorb and release plant nutrients as required. The loam also contains micro-elements and organic matter, which provides a slow release of Nitrogen to the plant.

Peat - Sphagnum Moss Peat in the John Innes Compost increases the total porosity and improves both the aeration and the water-retaining capacity. Peat decomposes slowly into humus.

Sand - The coarse sand or grit is used as a physical conditioner to allow excess water to drain from the compost and thus prevent water-logging. It also helps to provide stability for larger plants.

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.

***Nutrients are typically sufficient for 1-2 months of growing, after which time additional proprietary feed should be given***

What are the different types of John Innes used for?

All John Innes Composts contain traces of limestone, hoof and horn meal, superphosphate, potassium sulphate.

John Innes Compost No 1

For pricking out or potting-up young seedlings or rooted cuttings. This compost has a carefully balanced nutrient content to suit most young plants and allow them to grow. This John Innes compost is perfect for a young garden to make it thrive!

John Innes No 2 Compost

For general potting of most house plants and vegetable plants into medium size pots or boxes. John Innes no2 contains double the amount of nutrients found in John Innes No 1 to suit established plants. John Innes no 2 compost is the perfect everyday compost for your garden to ensure they are well nourished and well supported.

John Innes No 3 Compost

This is a richer mixture for final re-potting of gross feeding vegetable plants, and for mature foliage plant. Also shrubs and interior planters, or outdoor containers. This extra-rich blend of sandy loam, peat and fertiliser make John Innes no 3 compost a perfect addition to plants that have been well-established in your house or garden. We offer quick delivery on all of our John Innes compost products. For more information on compost delivery or to see how you can buy John Innes composts in bulk, contact us today.

Read more …John Innes Compost