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What are your opinions? We are all (probably) aware of the impact of peat harvesting but in the paper the other day in the gardening bit there was mention of some kind of study comparing peat and peat-free, and the peat compost was found to be the better for growing plants. So which do you use and why? Are there any peat-free composts you have found that rival the ones with peat in them?
Millie & Fly the Border Collies
Hi KatTai
This is a difficult issue, and I know that I should be using peat free composts, but I haven't found one that rivals the peat version.
I currently use John Innes composts for most of my plantings. They are a mixture that contain some peat with some soil, grit and food. For tubs they are more robust and don't dry out so much during the Summer, for indoor plants they don't attract those little black flies so much, and my cacti and succulents love them with extra grit added.
Best wishes Chris
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Thats interesting, earlier in the year i read about a trial that found the reverse to be true, see the link here.
For the RSPB's take on things have a look here.
Warden Intern at Otmoor.
Also read Adrian's blog for Friday 7th and Monday 10th on the gardening for wildlife site. I can also highly recommend his book RSPB Gardening for Wildlife by Adrian Thomas, it's excellent.
http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/blogs/hfw/default.aspx
Jane
Kind regards Jane.
Ian H said: Thats interesting, earlier in the year i read about a trial that found the reverse to be true, see the link here. For the RSPB's take on things have a look here.
Hmm Ian that is interesting! I think I'll give New Horizons a go as according to their website it is in stocked at Dobbies (and for anyone interested it seems to be about the same price as the other stuff). I'll have to buy quite a bit of compost over the next few months to get the garden sorted and it's good to see that there are some good peat-free options out there!
As my garden consists of containers of various sizes only - I get through a great deal of compost. I always use peat free and would agree that the only one that compares well with the 'real' stuff is made by 'New Horizon'. I've tried others but they either dry out too quickly or more frequently become soggy.
CJ
Hi CJ,
I'll be needing quite a lot of compost for the containers so its good to hear someone who has used New Horizon in containers because the last thing I want is to be repotting things only to find that they end up doing badly because of the compost and having to buy new stuff!
Kat
Hi Kat
I don't use peat free in really large containers though such as the ones that have trees and large shrubs in them as you need something with a bit more 'welly' - both to provide sufficient nutrients and weight (to stop them blowing over). I usually go for John Innes No. 3.
Like you I just can't wait to get cracking - I'm waiting until March though.
cjbeady said: Hi Kat I don't use peat free in really large containers though such as the ones that have trees and large shrubs in them as you need something with a bit more 'welly' - both to provide sufficient nutrients and weight (to stop them blowing over). I usually go for John Innes No. 3. Like you I just can't wait to get cracking - I'm waiting until March though. CJ
Hmmm okay, I have apple trees that are needing repotting so I guess I might be better going for John Innes No. 3 for them then! It's all so complicated! I guess the peat free will be okay for the veggies though?
KatTai said: What are your opinions? We are all (probably) aware of the impact of peat harvesting but in the paper the other day in the gardening bit there was mention of some kind of study comparing peat and peat-free, and the peat compost was found to be the better for growing plants. So which do you use and why? Are there any peat-free composts you have found that rival the ones with peat in them?
Hi Kat I am not even sure on this peat thing and wonder if it would make more sense to cut down on use rather than none as lots of places we go to watch really good birds in good wildlife places in Somerset levels and suspect there are others in other parts of country are ex peat extraction sites now full of water.
If anyone is in any doubt over whether bogs are worth conserving or not then you might want to take a look here and here. You will see that bogs are a unique habitat that support many rare species of plant and insect that are not found in other habitats. Bogs are also important breeding places for many of our declining bird species and bogs also store carbon.
In the UK we have lost around 95% of our lowland raised bogs so it is critical that they are conserved otherwise we are in danger of losing species and contributing further to climate change. If sustainable alternatives exist and perform as well or better than peat based composts, the choice should be a no-brainer! Many of the new peat-free alternatives are higher in nutrition than peat so can out perform them when used correctly, worth shopping around though for the best deals.
In the next few years we may see a situation where peat based compost is phased out of general use as was discussed in Adrian's blog here and Andre's here. The sooner the better for the sake of plants like the sundew.