I've been using John Innes No.2 Potting-On Compost for the past couple of summers, and it's been a letdown. It turns into dust after just a year! I even tried another brand the previous year, but it wasn't any better. I'm wondering why compost seems to be so poor these days and if there are any recommendations for better options or ways to fix this issue?
2 Answers
Yeah, it’s a real issue. Many of the products available now don’t hold water well at all. A recipe I’ve used that works generally well is one part compost, one part coconut coir, and one part vermiculite. It expands very nicely and helps with moisture retention.
The compost situation is pretty messed up right now. A lot of brands switched to coir when peat was banned, but coir isn't a sustainable long-term solution either, leading to inconsistent products. If you're looking for good-quality compost, unfortunately, you'll likely have to pay a bit more for it. Mixing your purchased compost with your own homemade compost can help too!
That’s a good mix! I usually toss in some blood meal or fish emulsion to boost nutrients too!