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Multi Purpose Organic Compost

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John Innes No1

John Innes No2

John Innes No3

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John Innes No 1 Seed Sowing Organic Compost

Peat Free, Organic, Recycled

• Premium soil based compost
• For sowing seeds, root cuttings and pricking out
• Fine texture for even growth
• Balanced nutrients specially formulated for strong germination

 

Vital Earth John Innes No 1 Seed Sowing Organic Compost has been specially designed for sowing seeds, striking cuttings and for planting out very sensitive seedlings. Like all Vital Earth Composts, it is peat free and based instead on specially composted garden waste, conifer bark and soil – all UK sourced.

 

Its texture is enhanced by recycled aggregate fines.

 

 

These ease filling of small containers, watering and pricking out. It also contains Vitalizer: a natural long-lasting growth booster, giving healthy plants with minimal feeding.

 

Before John Innes Composts were developed in 1930’s Britain, container growing was very
hit-and-miss. John Innes Composts - the world’s first researched and standardised growing media - were based on:

• Loam (from meadows – now rare habitats)
  
• Peat (from boglands – now endangered)
  
• Sand (from quarries)

 

These John Innes Composts were therefore very heavy and not very eco-friendly. Furthermore, they deteriorated quickly in storage and have become increasingly variable as some manufacturers have altered the formulations to cut costs. Some are now mainly peat! Vital Earth have “greened” the original John Innes ideal of special, use-specific mixes, by developing a range that, not only grows great plants and stays fresh, but is lighter to handle and lighter on the environment.

 

That’s because Vital Earth’s thoroughly researched composts are based on:

• Specially processed green compost (from garden green waste)
  
• Composted co-products from UK sustainable forests (FSC accredited)
  
• Sterilised, graded soil recovered from UK agriculture
  
• Clean recycled UK aggregate fines (Seed Sowing only)
  
• Food-grade recycled nutrient source (from UK farming)

 

These are all natural, sustainable and UK-sourced, with no added chemicals.

Despite these advances, traditionally-minded gardeners will be reassured to find that the Vital Earth range provides the qualities they have come to expect from John Innes – from sowing to planting.

How to Use Vital Earth John Innes No 1 Organic Compost
Sowing Seeds

• Fill trays or pots with Vital Earth John Innes No. 1 Seed Sowing Organic Compost, level off and firm lightly
  
• Water thoroughly, using a fine rose on the watering can
  
• Sow seeds evenly and thinly as per seed packet instructions
  Label/date tray/pot
  
• Most subjects benefit from:
  - thin covering of compost using fine sieve (but none for tiny seeds eg Petunia, Begonia)
  - darkness
  - warmth: usually 20-30oC
  - moisture: use plastic bag/cover or propagator
  But there are exceptions (eg lettuce prefers cooler conditions, plus light), so check instructions carefully
  
• At germination, remove bag/cover, keep moist and well lit

 

Pricking Out Seedlings

• Fill trays or pots with Vital EarthJohn Innes No. 1 Seed Sowing Organic Compost, level off and firm lightly
  
• First (seed) leaves should be fully grown (true leaves will be appearing)
  
• Carefully tease seedlings apart with a dibber (eg a pencil)
  
• Dib a hole in the compost and, gently holding a seedling by a seed leaf, introduce it into the hole to just below its seed leaves; firm in
  
• Water thoroughly, using a fine rose on the watering can

 

Striking Cuttings

• Fill trays or pots with Vital Earth John Innes No. 1 Seed Sowing Organic Compost, level off and firm lightly
  
• Prepare cuttings from healthy non-flowering shoots: make a clean cut just below a leaf joint and strip off leaves from approximately 2cm of the stem
  
• Stick cuttings into compost up to 1cm below lowest leaf. Firm in
  
• Water thoroughly, using a fine rose
  
• Enclose in a plastic bag to maintain humidity and keep in a warm, slightly
  shaded environment
  
• When rooted, remove plastic bag and shading. After a week or two, pot up in
  Vital Earth John Innes No. 1 Seed Sowing Compost

 

Watering

To tell when watering is needed, poke the compost surface with a finger. If the surface is soft, watering is not needed. If it is firm, watering is needed soon. As Vital EarthJohn Innes No. 1 Seed Sowing Compost, dries out, natural organic substances (humates) bind the root-ball, making it feel firm. This is a natural harmless effect: in fact, it helps to protect the root-ball during potting on and planting out.

 

Feeding

We’ve taken care of that for at least six weeks. After that, apply a dilute liquid feed.

 

 

Suggested Quantities for Vital Earth John Innes No 1 Organic Compost

 

	25 Litres	10 Litres
Seed Tray	8	3
Half Tray 17 7	17	7
8cm/3” Pots	100	40
10cm/4” Pots	50	20
15cm/6” Pots	11	4

 

Gardening Advice

• Ideally, use within a year of purchase
  
• As with all gardening activities, please wash your hands after use and/or wear gloves
  
• Re-seal bag when not in use
  
• Store in a dry, frost free place, away from weed-killers and other chemicals
  
• To avoid danger of suffocation, please keep this bag away from babies and children

 

Environmental Benefits

Peat Free, Organic, Recycled and Sustainable. All ingredients are British sourced, natural with no added chemicals.

 

PLEASE NOTE:

This product is not suitable for ericaceous plants such as Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Camellias, Heathers and most Acers. Use Vital Earth Ericaceous Organic Compost