Why are we still using peat in gardening? And what are the alternatives?
A charity is calling for a complete ban on the use of peat in horticulture, declaring a man-made emergency which it claims will take 1,000 years to rectify.
Peat bogs have been massively depleted
Garden Organic says that the garden industry has done too little too late to meet Defra’s demand to stop retail sales of peat by January 2020 and has launched its ‘For Peat’s Sake’ campaign in an effort to push the issue to the top of the political agenda.
“Reducing peat use in horticulture is absolutely vital for protecting our planet,” says James Campbell, the charity’s chief executive.
“Environmental awareness is once more at the top of the political and personal agenda. But throughout the gardens and allotments of the UK, peat-based bagged compost is still being bought by the barrowful.
“And thousands of plants are purchased which have been grown in a peat-based medium. We believe most gardeners, organic or otherwise, would turn their back on peat if they knew the full picture.”
What is peat?
Peat is a declining rich source for plant growers
It is a type of soil made up of waterlogged, partially-decomposed plant material which has built up over nearly 10,000 years in wetland habitats.
Historically, peat has been used in compost because it’s good at holding water and retaining nutrients.
Why should we stop using it?
Campbell explains: “Ninety-five per cent of the UK’s peat bogs are now degraded or completely destroyed, meaning it would take 1,000 years before they could start functioning again.
“Peat bogs are actually a hugely important defence against climate change as they are the most efficient land-based store of carbon. Destroying them releases disastrous amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, having the opposite effect.”
So, what are the alternatives?
There are many peat-free alternatives
Guy Barter, RHS chief horticulturist, has been using peat-free growing media for 20 years.
He says: “By and large, peat-free composts are perfectly feasible. They may be more expensive but it’s a small price to pay for saving the environment.”
Materials such as green compost, coir, wood fibre and composted bark are now used in most composts, according to Which? Gardening, the Consumers’ Association magazine.
There are many peat-free composts on the market
Ceri Thomas, editor of Which? Gardening, observes: “Choosing a peat-free compost can cause headaches for gardeners, and different varieties come with different approaches for caring for your plants.
“Different watering and feeding techniques mean it’s important to research your options before choosing a peat-free compost, so take the time to get to grips with the specific instructions for caring for your plants before choosing the right compost for you.”
The RHS notes that peat-free brands often recommend specific fertilisers for use with their compost. This is not a marketing ploy, as different formulations have different balances of nutrients.
Coir is used in many peat-free products
Coir-based composts can look dry on the surface but may still be wet underneath, so you have to watch your watering. In hot summers that would be a benefit but in persistently wet weather it can lead to rotting plants. Which? Gardening recommends watering little and often to avoid watering problems.
Are some plants more tricky to grow in peat-free compost?
Historically, it has been tricky to grow acid-loving plants like rhododendrons and camellias in peat-free compost, but this has changed, says Barter.
Use peat-free ericaceous compost for azaleas
“Manufacturers have formulated ericaceous peat-free compost, adding pine bark and sulphur, which will benefit these plants,” he says.
The RHS is around 99% peat-free, apart from the tiny amount it uses for growing carnivorous plants – which don’t perform well in peat-free compost.
Does organic mean peat-free?
Not necessarily. Check the labels – ‘reduced peat’ means there is still peat there, sometimes as much as 90%, warns Garden Organic. The organisation also urges gardeners to ignore claims of ‘not from an environmentally sensitive site’ as all peat bogs are sensitive habitats. And it it flags that the word ‘organic’ doesn’t necessarily mean peat-free.
Make your own soil mixes
Create your own soil mixes using home-made compost, top soil and leafmould. Garden Organic recommends these mixes for different tasks:
Use a peat-free mix for seedlings
Sowing seeds: Seeds contain their own nutrients so they will germinate successfully in low nutrient material, with good drainage. Recommended mix: one part loam (garden soil), one part leafmould, one part horticultural sand.
Potting on: Seedlings and young plants need excellent drainage and a little more nutrient (not too much, or they become leggy without finding their own strength). Recommended mix: one part loam (garden soil), one part leafmould, one part sieved garden compost.
Taking cuttings: Cuttings need excellent drainage (so their ends don’t rot) and a fine textured medium (to help the roots establish). Recommended mix: Half sharp sand and half home compost (or a purchased peat-free growing medium such as coir).
Planting herbs: Sage, thyme and marjoram all need a well-drained soil. It is the wet, not the cold, that will kill their roots. Recommended mix: one part loam, one part home compost, one part sharp sand.
Plant herbs like sage in a light mix
Using large containers: Plants growing for a long time in pots need a good source of slow release nutrients. Recommended mix: one part loam, one part compost. It is good to feed at certain times such as blooming and fruiting, using a foliar or liquid feed.
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