J Arthur Bowers John Innes range

[David Nicholson]

To save myself a round trip of approaching 200 miles to buy Green Ore compost this year I have used J Arthur Bowers John Innes no 2 and no 3 for my bulb re-potting. I have to say that I found the quality had deteriorated since I last used it and I had to sieve it to get rid of large lumps of wood and other undecayed material. Has anyone else had a similar problem with this range?

[Tony Willis]

David

I use Levington and that has large lumps of peat and sundry other things in it. I sift it out as I am using it.

I have tried quite a range and the only benefit I get from this one is it is in sealed bags and stored undercover at my local garden centre and it is therefore most of the time dry to handle

[Gerry Webster]

I always use J Arthur Bowers but my local garden centre is not stocking it this year. They have Westland instead. Has anyone tried this?

[David Nicholson]

David


...............I have tried quite a range and the only benefit I get from this one is it is in sealed bags and stored undercover at my local garden centre and it is therefore most of the time dry to handle

Are you able to get dry sand and grit as well Tony? At all my sources here they are stored outside and usually wet through. Last year I got my supplies earlier and spread them out in trays on the garage floor, this year I forgot to do that. 

[David Nicholson]

I always use J Arthur Bowers but my local garden centre is not stocking it this year. They have Westland instead. Has anyone tried this?

I've got a "thing" about Westland products (it's an age thing!!) and don't buy them. It's really to do with many garden centres stocking only Westland products and thereby not offering me a choice.

[Tony Willis]

david

I bought sand yesterday and it was just a slurry in the bag.

I have spread it on the greenhouse floor to dry it if only the sun would appear.

I bought my grit as two,one ton pallets last year and I have to store it outside so it is very wet. Again I open the bags and then spread it on the garage floor to dry as I need it.

[Gerry Webster]

I always use J Arthur Bowers but my local garden centre is not stocking it this year. They have Westland instead. Has anyone tried this?

I've got a "thing" about Westland products (it's an age thing!!) and don't buy them. It's really to do with many garden centres stocking only Westland products and thereby not offering me a choice.

Me too David. Even more of an age thing in my case - creature of habit that I am.

[art600]

David

I agree with you about J Arthur Bowers deteriorating quality.  Think I might develop tennis elbow with all the sieving necessary to remove 'rubbish'.

Applies equally to their multipurpose compost - recommended B & Q and found this to be much better.

[Luc Gilgemyn]

"Rosedale" was recommended to me a couple of years ago and I'm quite happy with it ! 

[David Nicholson]

It's less miles for you to get Rosedale than it is for me Luc

[David Nicholson]

David

I agree with you about J Arthur Bowers deteriorating quality.  Think I might develop tennis elbow with all the sieving necessary to remove 'rubbish'.

Applies equally to their multipurpose compost - recommended B & Q and found this to be much better.

I did another age "thing". I emailed them to complain will post the reply if I get one.

[art600]

Rosedale compost available within 10 miles of me - and I get a trade discount 

[Luc Gilgemyn]

 

I always use J Arthur Bowers but my local garden centre is not stocking it this year. They have Westland instead. Has anyone tried this?

I've got a "thing" about Westland products (it's an age thing!!) and don't buy them. It's really to do with many garden centres stocking only Westland products and thereby not offering me a choice.

Can anybody clarify this Westland mistery for me ??  Any particular reason why you guys don't seem to like it ??

[Gerry Webster]

I always use J Arthur Bowers but my local garden centre is not stocking it this year. They have Westland instead. Has anyone tried this?

I've got a "thing" about Westland products (it's an age thing!!) and don't buy them. It's really to do with many garden centres stocking only Westland products and thereby not offering me a choice.

I've never tried Westland - I'd like to hear from anyone who has. They do seem to be taking over the whole (garden centre) world.

Can anybody clarify this Westland mistery for me ??  Any particular reason why you guys don't seem to like it ??

[David Nicholson]

I always use J Arthur Bowers but my local garden centre is not stocking it this year. They have Westland instead. Has anyone tried this?

I've got a "thing" about Westland products (it's an age thing!!) and don't buy them. It's really to do with many garden centres stocking only Westland products and thereby not offering me a choice.

Can anybody clarify this Westland mistery for me ??  Any particular reason why you guys don't seem to like it ??

No real reason Luc, I did say it was an age thing! It's really to do with Westland taking over the market and consumers being denied choice. It's an "Islanders" thinking