John Innes compost contains peat
IN the latest AG (5 June), as in many previous editions, your authors advocate the use of peat-free compost or John Innes compost. On page 4, Ruth recommends John Innes No2 and does so again on page
5 in (“pot them up in peat-free multipurpose or John Innes No2 compost”. On page 18, Anne Swithinbank recommends a 50:50 mix of John Innes No2 and peat-free multipurpose compost. Lucy Chamberlain recommends John Innes No3 on page
23. John Negus recommends using a “loam-based potting compost No2” on page 41 (no mention of John Innes though, or peat-free).
As I am sure you know, John Innes is a loam and peat-based compost. Westland appears to contain about
45% in seed compost, No1, 2 and 3. Levington seems to be about 60%, CPA Horticulture No3 has 25% peat. Humax, Bord na Mona… who knows? I would think many of the others are similarly loaded.
I think that if your writers are recommending John Innes composts they should say a peat-free one otherwise it is hypocrisy on their parts.
Faulkner Smith, Co Durham
Wendy says Thank you for pointing this out, Amateur Gardening would always encourage readers to try peat-free composts. Our authors recommend ‘John Innes’ for the loam content that provides nutrients and ‘body’. Peat was used in the original JI recipe and as you rightly point out, many brands still use it in varying quantities. Behind the scenes, the industry continues to invest a great deal in finding and producing environmentally-friendly alternatives that will eventually replace peat and become more readily available. One to try is Melcourt’s SylvaGrow John Innes range, available in Seed, No1, 2 and 3