Planting containers & using peat free compost.

Whether you have a garden or not, even planting up an extra container can be beneficial for wildlife.  Whether you fancy planting hanging baskets, pots or a window box, you can provide extra nectar and pollen for pollinators plus shelter for a variety of insects.

  Welsh Poppies in Container: Richard Packwood (rspb-images.com)

You could choose to plant up a more wild, natural looking display using native flowering plants such as common knapweed, cornflower,  ox-eye daisy, wild marjoram, buttercups, scabious,  heather, forget-me-nots, primroses, cowslips or poppies.

Or choose garden border flowering plants that aren’t too tall such as wallflowers, echinacea, hardy geraniums, yarrow, marigolds, single dahlias, asters, lavender, or cat mint.

When you’re planting up a container, ensure there are plenty of drainage holes and be aware that it will need regular watering ,much more frequently than the garden. Window boxes and post can dry out quickly in the heat and yet it is essential to allow free drainage rather than hoping pants can cope with less watering and sit in wet soil with no drainage. Regualr watering with good drainage is the key.

Also bear in mind that plants will use up nutrients in the compost much more quickly than in the ground, so use  a specific container compost and consider mixing in additional slow release fertiliser granules to feed the plants or regularly watering with a liquid seaweed feed.

Every time I watch Monty Don on gardener’s world planting up pots, he nearly always states “use a peat free compost”. It’s because peat bogs are a precious wetland environment that take years to form and cannot regenerate anywhere near the rate at which they are being harvested for human use to be burned in power stations and in garden products.

 The National Trust points out their importance

• as a carbon store – peat holds more carbon than the combined forests of Britain, France and Germany
• for wildlife – many scarce species inhabit peatlands
• for water management – peat holds up to 20 times its own weight in water
• for archaeology – peat preserves a record of past vegetation, landscapes and people

BBC online states the starling facts that

• 94 per cent of the UK's lowland raised peatbogs, one of our rarest and most vulnerable habitats, have been lost. There are just 6,000 hectares in pristine or near-natural condition left.
• peatlands are important water stores, holding about 10 per cent of global freshwater; peat takes so long to form - it grows by about 1mm per year - that it cannot be regarded as a sustainable material. Commercial extractors typically remove up to 22cm of peat per year.

Most of us gardeners are not aware that peat is in the composts that we buy unless it clearly states “peat free” on the bag. “Organic” and “environmentally friendly” doesn’t mean that it’s peat free. Peat free composts are widely available and do cost a little more due to the product needing extra processing, but as ethical gardeners, going peat free is the right thing to do whether it’s for containers or planting in the garden.

There is an interesting and honest article from Saga on how Peat free composts compare with regular composts containing peat.

If you’re inspired to plant up some new wildlife friendly containers, using a peat free compost is even more beneficial to the environment so you can experience a double feel good factor!

The Flatford Wildlife Garden is now open everyday until October from 10.30am – 4.30pm. Entrance to the garden is free and well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome. Car parking is £5 at the Flatford National Trust car park and this gives you access to the stunning countryside walks around Dedham Vale in Constable Country.