In recent years, the call for sustainable practices has become increasingly important in the world of gardening and landscaping. One crucial aspect of sustainable planting is the use of peat-free compost.
As we strive to protect our environment and preserve precious ecosystems, it's crucial to understand why peat-free soil is the future for sustainable planting. As the UK gears up for the ban on bagged peat compost by the end of the year, we all need to start making the switch to peat-free soil now if we haven’t already.
Let’s go through what peat-free compost is, why we need to go peat-free and how it can benefit your plants in this guide.
What is peat-free compost?
Peat-free compost is a type of potting soil that, as the name suggests, doesn’t contain peat! It can be made from a variety of organic matter, including coconut coir, wood waste, bark and even composted garden waste.
Peat-free compost is much more sustainable than peat compost. This is because peat comes from peat bogs that are natural carbon stores, helping to cool our climate, reduce flood risk and support biodiversity.
When we extract peat from peatlands to use in compost, it releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, damaging the ozone layer. Plus, the destruction of our peatlands means that they can’t act as carbon sinks, causing further harm to our environment.
Why is the UK going peat-free?
The UK is going peat-free because peatlands are crucial carbon stores. According to the Wildlife Trusts, peat bogs lock away over three billion tonnes of carbon in the UK. However, when they’re damaged to extract peat for compost, the carbon is released into the atmosphere.
Peatlands are also a hive of biodiversity. 80% of the UK’s peatlands are now degraded due to using them for drainage for farming and extraction for compost, which has contributed to the UK’s loss of almost 50% of its biodiversity. Peatlands are home to rare species of birds, amphibians, insects and even a carnivorous plant.
The UK government is banning the sale of bagged peat compost to private gardeners by the end of 2024, but professional growers can use it until the end of 2027. Some peat products will still be available until 2030 - but it’s best to make the switch to peat-free products now.
Why use peat-free compost?
There are plenty of benefits to using peat-free compost in your garden, whether you’re a home gardener or a professional:
Preserve fragile ecosystems: Peatlands are unique and fragile ecosystems that serve as vital carbon sinks. By using peat-free compost, we help prevent the destruction of these precious habitats. Traditional peat extraction contributes to the release of greenhouse gases and the loss of biodiversity. Embracing peat-free alternatives allows us to protect these valuable ecosystems.
Reduce your carbon footprint: Peat extraction and the production of peat-based soil contribute significantly to carbon emissions. Transitioning to peat-free compost helps reduce your carbon footprint and combat climate change. By choosing sustainable alternatives, you’re actively participating in preserving our planet for future generations.
Save water: Peat-free compost tends to be more free-draining than peat, so you may find you need to water your plants little and often. This helps you to keep your plants well watered without washing out the nutrients in the soil by over-watering or wasting water by watering them too much at once.
Enhance soil health and nutrient availability: Peat-free compost offers numerous benefits to plant health and growth. It enhances soil structure, providing better aeration and drainage. Plus, high-quality peat-free alternatives contain beneficial microorganisms, promoting healthier root systems and nutrient uptake.
Support wildlife and biodiversity: The preservation of biodiversity is key to sustainable planting. Peatlands harbour unique plant species and provide habitats for a wide range of wildlife. By eliminating the demand for peat-based compost, we help protect these ecosystems and support the biodiversity that relies on them.
What replaces peat in peat-free compost?
The peat replacement in peat-free compost can be a variety of plant-derived materials. Some of the most popular replacements include wood fibre, coir and composted bark, but other options such as hemp fibre, wool, almond shells and even human waste are being investigated!
The key to the perfect peat-free compost is finding the right blend of materials that creates the ideal water, air and density properties. That’s why we’ve chosen to work with PlantGrow, a Norfolk-based company who are pioneering in the world of sustainable gardening feeds, conditioners and peat-free composts.
All of PlantGrow’s products are peat-free, plant-based, organic and vegan, so here at Eden, we choose to use their compost and fertilisers as a way to reduce our carbon footprint and do our bit for our precious earth.
Is peat-free compost any good?
Lots of gardeners are apprehensive about going peat-free, especially if they’ve been using it for years. But the truth is, peat-free alternatives are now just as good - if not better - than peat, and your plants will be very happy.
If you’re used to using peat composts in your garden or within your professional life, you might find you need to make a few adjustments to your gardening routine to help you get the best results from your plants, flowers and crops:
Watering: As we mentioned earlier, you may need to water your plants little and often when you use peat-free compost, as it doesn’t retain water in the same way as peat. If you’ve got shrubs or trees in pots, push your finger down the side of the pot every day to feel whether the compost below the surface is dry.
Mulching: Mulch the ground that your plants are in to prevent moisture from evaporating. This is great in the summer as it stops you from having to water as much, saving you time and water. In the winter, it keeps your soil warmer, allowing you to plant into mulched borders earlier than with bare soil.
Feeding: Peat-free composts can run out of fertilisers quicker than peat composts, so you may want to add a liquid feed to help maintain the growth of your plants.
Storage: Try to buy only enough peat-free compost for you to use immediately, as their quality can deteriorate more quickly than peat compost. But don’t worry if you do end up with extra lying around - you can use it as mulch.
Embracing peat-free compost is an essential step towards sustainable planting and responsible land management. By preserving fragile ecosystems, reducing carbon emissions, saving water and supporting biodiversity, we contribute to a greener and healthier planet.
Remember, every decision counts. Together, we can create a more sustainable and vibrant world through peat-free planting practices.
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