Peat-free compost
By wagger
17 comments
According to an article in Amateur Gardener, despite Government demands that gardeners should be 90 per cent peat free by 2010 the UK’s three largest seed and young plant suppliers are still trialling new seed varieties in up to 100 per cent peat. Thompson & Morgan, Suttons and Mr Fothergill’s are all refusing to switch.
T&M said they would continue to use peat until the company finds a product that performs as well.
Suttons said there is no world shortage of peat citing Canada where peat is being laid down 100 times quicker that it’s being used and that although there is a problem with peat extraction in the UK, if it’s a world commodity then why shouldn’t it be used?
The Technical Manager at Mr Fothergill’s said “Why change something that works?”
So I guess all the pressure will be on the poor old gardeners again.
3 Oct, 2009
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Comments
Not so good for the planet if it's being shipped across the world !
3 Oct, 2009
So was some of the peat-free, Aster. A case in point being coir based composts.
3 Oct, 2009
I do not find any problem with using peat free compost I have used it for some years. I also think I do not have as many pot bound plants since I started washing it off anyway. I prefer to use my own as much as possible. These compamies are out to make money and that influences what they say?
3 Oct, 2009
I tried using peat free compost a couple of years back and was not impressed with the results and since then I've been using ordinary multi purpose. Have the peat free composts improved in the last couple of years?
3 Oct, 2009
Lily I understood multi purpose compost was peat free compost ? I use Westlands or Levingtons multipurpose peat free compost when buying it as its got extras in it.
3 Oct, 2009
I have to admit to using B&Q's multi. but I have a large compost heap of my own now just bursting with goodies and with the use of my shredder before putting anything into the heap I have found it composts really, (and I mean in a couple of weeks in summer) fast
3 Oct, 2009
After being disappointed in the past I've stuck to Levingtons and must admit to not having looked too closely at the labelling. Obviously they have changed without me realising and that means they must have improved too!
3 Oct, 2009
The peat free compost was no good for my fuchsias when I tried it. I wish there was a better one. It's a shame that the big companies don't seem to care.
3 Oct, 2009
Saving the planet what a laugh, its just a lie just to get extra taxes, its been on tv the reason the planet is going like it is , it naturally happens to do with the larva flow in the centre of the earth, which they are trying to find out why it does it. The most polution is methane gas which cattle emmit from going to the toilet the bigest poluter are volcanos, the earth will always repair it self, even when we have gone. Proberbly you all should watch more documentaries on factual under history, you would realise then how we are all being conned. The only thing I would worry about would be the rain forests and sea level, its the sea level rising that controls how the weather would be, the usa know this and have tried to control it to stop New York from having hurricans I watched it the other night.
3 Oct, 2009
Dont think Ive ever seen any bags of peat based compost. I stick with multi purpose, I remembered hearing that alan T never used it so made a point of not using it when I started.
Does make you feel sad for those families who started businesses using peat products. Think it was Louise1 whos neighbours are suffering badly becuase of the less usage.
If we have a shortage here why arent we doing the same as Canada? seems our country is quick enough to say we have a problem but to find a solution takes soooooo much longer
x x x x
5 Oct, 2009
Some multi purpose composts are peat free or reduced peat but most of the makes are still mainly or all peat, Mookins.
5 Oct, 2009
will have a proper look when I venture out later see what Ive purchased, I usually pick ones to fit in my budget.
too chilly to look this morning
brrr
x x x
5 Oct, 2009
That's what i do, Mookins. It is cold today, snuggled up indoors now.
5 Oct, 2009
stayed in most of today, only ventured out a little while ago for a chinese take away hehe
such a woosey!!
x x x
5 Oct, 2009
Nothing woosy about it, Mookins. I nipped down to the greenhouse for some seeds and it was COLD!
5 Oct, 2009
I tried using peat-free and I just didn`t like it. I use a good quality multi-purpose with added John Innes mixed with my own compost, it does the job for me.
Sandra :o)
1 Nov, 2009
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I have tried using peat free compost over the last few years but why is is more expensive than peat? It's also so coarse that by the time you sieve it to make a reasonable seed compost you have hardly any left making it more expensive still.
I finally settled with only sieving enough for the top half to three quarters of an inch in the trays or pots but it's such a lot of messing about that I've now gone back to using peat based composts.
It's about time that the industry gave as a product that we want and can use at a reasonable price instead of giving us something inferior at an inflated price while claiming it's all for the good of the planet. Too many companies are making lots of money at our expense by flying the green flag which has now become no more than an advertising gimmick.
3 Oct, 2009