Peat-Free Compost

Among a number of must-do initiatives to reverse the current global warming trend, the preservation and restoration of peatlands offers an easy win-win strategy. Peatlands (bogs, fens, mires, moors) sequester carbon dioxide and provide unique habitats for many plants and animals. Approximately 10% of the UK land area is peatland.

Peat has been the mainstay of UK horticulture since the 1930s when it was included in the formulation of John Innes composts. Peat itself contains very little in the way of plant nutrients but is an excellent base medium due to its water retention, pest-free and open structure characteristics. In 2010, about one million cubic metres were extracted every year in the UK just for horticultural use (two-thirds of which was used by amateur gardeners). A further two million cubic metres were imported just to satisfy the needs and desires for growing flowers and vegetables! The continued use of peat is unsustainable and destroying unique ecosystems.

Photo 1: Entrance to Fertile Fibre

Bagged peat-based compost sold has not been available in retail outlets (e.g. garden centres) since 2024. Professional/industrial users have until 2026 to phase out peat products with a few exceptions (e.g. growing mushrooms and bog plants). By 1930, peat use will not be allowed in the UK.

We have made a positive effort to be peat-free for at least 20 years though it is not always possible to completely avoid it; for example, when buying pot plants from a nursery/garden centre. Some of the early peat-free composts were, frankly, not very good. Finding a good peat-free seed compost was especially difficult.

For many years we have been using coir-based composts. And, in particular, those produced by Fertile Fibre, a local Herefordshire company just a few miles away. They offer the full range of composts (seed, multi-purpose and potting) including vegan and biodynamic options. In our experience, the coir-based composts are the best peat-substitutes for sowing seeds and potting on. Even our carnivorous pitcher and sundew plants, whose natural habitats are peatlands, do well in coir.

Yesterday, we paid our annual trip to Fertile Fibre to pick up supplies of bagged seed and potting compost along with coir blocks used to prepare the growing media for my Quadgrows and Veg/Salad Planters.

Photo 2: 5 Kg Coir Bales

Photo 3: 60L Bags of Seed & Potting Compost

I'll be spending a little more time in the kitchen garden and polytunnel from now on though it would be nice if the weather warmed up a little.