The Creation of John Innes Compost

Prior to the invention of John Innes Composts, in the mid 1930’s gardeners, growers and nurserymen had no set standard as to the compost they used in nursery stock production. Results of plant growth were not surprisingly uniform and plant diseases were more common. It took funding from a legacy left by a wealthy London property developer, Mr John Innes, in 1904, to witness the research and creation of the marque we know so well today.

Two scientists working at the John Innes Horticultural Institute, William Lawrence and John Newell, endeavoured to overcome the problems associated with the use of inconsistent growing media and formulated a compost that would give consistently good and reliable results. After six years of endeavour, they worked out the physical properties and nutrition necessary in composts to achieve optimum rates of plant growth. They also introduced methods of sterilising the soil by heat, which destroyed pests and diseases.

Because of their work two compost standards were introduced one for seed sowing and one for potting. For more than fifty years now, John Innes Compost has been widely used throughout the world. The formulae has remained the same, has stood the test of time and is still popular amongst discerning gardeners for growing the best quality plants with the minimum of attention. With improved fertiliser technology the nutrient addition to the composts have been enhanced.

In today's climate of sustainability, however, the use of ingredients such as loam and peat is anathema to those people who wish to follow an environmental care philosophy. To this end the John Innes Foundation has been, of recent years been developing a range of composts made from recycled plant material sourced from within the UK. Genie™ composts, which is manufactured in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, is made from collected kitchen and green waste, is heat treated to 65oC , inside digesters, to destroy harmful pathogens and weed seeds. The product goes through a maturation process for seven weeks before bagging.

The resultant compost is very consistent, reliable and, very importantly, environmentally friendly. There are three grades of Genie™ composts: for sowing seeds and taking cuttings, for potting up and compost for final potting.

Click here for full details of the John Innes Compost, ingredients.