Peat Free and SUSTAINABLE Gardening

Let’s delve deeper into the world of peat and understand why we should be incorporating peat free products into our practice to protect and give back to our planet.

 Peatlands are the largest natural land carbon store we have on this planet. Peat bogs are made up of compacted and partially decaying wetland plants. Peat has been used in compost and soil improver due to its water retentive properties and nutritional management abilities. Peat has been greatly farmed for agriculture and horticulture for thousands of years. Not only does this dramatically contribute to carbon emissions and climate change, it is damaging to the habitats that the peat lands provide for our wildlife. Research has shown that 80% on our planets peatlands have been damaged. Shockingly, it takes 100 years+ to form just 10cm of peat, therefore the rate at which extraction has been taking place, this damage is now reversible. We must do everything we can to protect our remaining peat lands. 

 Over the past 3 years there has been a greater drive from the Royal Horticulutral Society (RHS) to get this information into the public eye. Defra aimed to have total withdrawal of peat used by amateur gardeners by 2020. The RHS have also successfully removed peat use at their annual shows and reduced their use of Peat in 98% of their gardens. The government have supported this change and have issued a ban on the sale of bagged peat in England by 2024. 

 It was recognised that there was a need to make it easier for people to recognise peat and peat free products when purchasing growing mediums. The Responsible Sourcing Scheme (RSS) for growing media came into effect and was launched at The RHS Chelsea Flower show in 2022. You will find this printed on packed of compost. Members of the RSS will print this easy to follow guide on all of their bags of compost. Grade A indicated the most responsibility sourced products with the ingredients listed in order of their content. 

 Since I became aware of how dramatically damaging the affect peat products have on our ecosystems and the planet, I was on a mission to find an alternative. Over the years I have trialled many different growing mediums in my practice: coir, wood fibres and bark compost as well as home composting. At first it was very difficult to find an alternative that was able to retain water as well as compost containing peat. I also found I was having to feed my plants more frequently for them to grow at their best. Over the years these products have been developed and are now much more workable. I come across Dalefoot Compost based in the Lake District whose products are developed with a base of local Bracken which is rich in Potash. In my opinion the secret ingredient that makes their compost my Number 1 is the blend of sheep’s wool that is incorporated into their compost to improve the water retention property which also aids a slow release of nitrogen. This saved me having to excessively my water plants and reduce the need to feed more frequently. This helped me to reduce my water usage and financial outgoings.

I was humbled to be invited to their peat land restoration project in Cumbria at Bolton Fell Nature Reserve. Extraction of peat was terminated from the site in 2013. Since then, the site has been revegetated by reintroducing peat- forming vegetation and rewetting the site with the formation of peat dams. The aim of their restorative work is to achieve an active peat surface. Nearly 10 years into the project I can confirm that the peatlands are coming along well. However, the bog will not be an active bog or storing carbon for many decades to come. 

Bolton Fell Peat Extraction site only 10 years ago.

The peat bog in its current restorative state.

 So you have heard everything I have to say about peat and this is my journey to becoming peat free in my practice. Now its time to hear yours….