Peatlands are vital ecosystems which play key roles in locking up carbon and supporting a diverse range of plants and wildlife. These ecosystems continue to be threatened by extraction for horticulture.
So how can you help to protect peatlands from your garden at home? Here we’ll share our top tips for peat-free gardening.
Look for the peat-free labels
Perhaps the most obvious start! This is the best option for most people and especially if you don’t have a garden or space to make your own compost.
Check your favourite brand of potting compost – it should have “100% peat-free” written prominently on the packaging. If it doesn’t, it probably contains at least some peat. There are now many brands of excellent quality peat-free compost on sale. Some out-perform peat-based composts in trials! Even if you’re growing more specialised plants such as carnivorous species, there is a growing medium out there that could suit your needs (the RHS has done specific trials for carnivorous plants). So, try some of them out and see which suits your style of gardening best.
Switch to a peat-free retailer
Even if you aren’t using peat at home, many of the plants on sale will be grown in peat-based compost. Although peat use in industry has reduced, we’re still working to end peat use in horticulture.
Ask at your local garden centre to ensure the plants you’re buying are 100% peat-free. Choose plants grown in peat-free growing media. If your garden centre doesn’t sell peat-free plants, shop elsewhere if possible. Consumer demand is an important tool and if garden centres are aware that their customers value peat-free products, they will too.
Check out our growing map of peat-free retailers to find one close to you!
Make your own compost
Perhaps this is something you’ve avoided, but it’s easier than you might think to make your own compost. Rather than sending your garden waste away, reusing it for compost is a cheap and sustainable way to produce your own soil improver, meaning you can leave the peat in the peatlands.
The key to compost is balance – make sure you have the right quantities of green material (nitrogen-rich leaves, weeds, fruit, etc.) and brown material (carbon-rich woody stems, paper, and cardboard). Most of the process is a waiting game, as compost takes around 6 months to 2 years to form.
Even if you have a small garden, starting a compost bin is a great way to transform an underused shady spot, save money, and go peat-free. If you’re really limited on space, you could even try worm composting, which uses compost worms to break down kitchen waste.
The RHS has plenty of advice on making your own compost or leafmould to get you started.
Get clear advice from expert guide
A guide developed collaboratively by over 20 organisations, including yours truly, gives clear and expert tips on the most common mistakes with peat-free gardening. While you’re waiting for your compost to form, download the guide below or check out how you can get involved in supporting the campaign to end peat sales:
