Growing consumer pressure and the prospect of legislation to ban peat for horticulture suggests that switching to peat-free for all soft landscaping procurement should be high on the agenda for councils and local authorities. Councils have enormous buying power and can really lead the way in setting an example in making sustainable practices the norm.

This means a switch to requiring parks departments and contractors to use peat-free growing media, ideally choosing suppliers with commitments to providing 100% peat-free products. Becoming a peat-free council can show support for nature and a commitment to ending environmentally damaging peat use, showing residents that you value our peatland ecosystems.

Why do peatlands need protecting?

Peatlands are home to a dazzling array of plants, many of which are highly specialised to thrive in these ecosystems. Sphagnum mosses, which are the main ingredient in peat formation, are excellent at sequestering carbon and form symbiotic relationships with bacteria to suppress methane emissions. The UK’s rare carnivorous plant species, including sundews and butterworts, can also be found.

UK peatland bird life is recognised as outstanding within Europe. Many important birds congregate around peatlands, including the sky lark, the common scoter, and the curlew, all of which are declining in numbers. The curlew is particularly well known for its decline, with its population nearly halving since 1995. The UK supports nearly a quarter of curlew breeding populations, so the need to invest in our ecosystems is clear.

People want to end peat sales

Taking measures to stop using peat has strong support across the board; a 2022 consultation covering England and Wales showed that over 95% of respondents called for a ban on peat sales, mostly giving environmental reasons. Furthermore, ending the sale of horticultural peat has support from MPs across parties – see our legislation timeline for what’s already been done. Switching away from peat use to become a peat-free council shows you care about the values of your community.

Council procurement equals purchasing power

The extensive landscape and gardening work completed by councils means that making the peat-free switch can make a huge difference. Progress has already been made in decreasing the amount of peat sold – with councils’ help, it can drop even further. Could your council be the next to go peat free? See our case study below to hear from a council who have already done this, in their own words:

Peat-free Case Study: Calderdale Council

Our journey

Taking climate action is one of Calderdale Council’s priorities. We declared a climate emergency in 2019.

Going peat-free in our gardening is something we’ve worked towards for several years.

At first, it was hard to find a peat-free product that would be the same every time we ordered. We started by using small batches of peat-free products, to avoid potentially losing a full crop due to inconsistencies.

We later moved to peat-reduced products, and in 2024, with more learning under our belt, we took the leap and went peat-free. We found a supplier that could provide us with a consistent product that worked.

We aim to be as self-sufficient as possible in our growing, but when we need to buy products in, we always ensure they are grown and supplied in peat-free forms.

Volunteers in Calderdale studying Sphagnum mosses.

Challenges we’ve overcome

The heavy weight of peat-free composts made hanging baskets too heavy to handle. We found a consistent supplier that is happy to tailor the make-up of our composts and reduce the weight with other suitable materials in the hanging basket composts.

To overcome traditional views about growing and any previous negative peat-free experiences, we’ve trialled different products and scenarios over several growing years. This steady rollout helped us make the move fully.

An ongoing challenge is the need for extra fertiliser to offset the nutrient value of peat, which we tackle by obtaining a good-quality, slow-release fertiliser.

Calderdale’s peat-free glasshouse

Thinking of going peat-free?

Build a relationship with your supplier so you can be confident about the source and consistency of the material you’re using.

There is a myth that peat-free composts have a lack of moisture retention. We haven’t had this issue because we’ve been able to tailor our product to our needs through a consistent supplier relationship.

Our nationally-recognised project to grow sphagnum moss in a nursery setting is another important part of Calderdale’s climate action. Working with volunteers, we have developed a successful method of growing the moss in a nursery environment, as part of The National Lottery-funded Growing Resilience Project. We have planted over 2,500 plug plants on Calderdale’s moorlands, helping to restore these areas of high carbon storage and mitigating flood risk.

Sphagnum moss grown for Calderdale’s restoration project.

Talk to us

If you’re keen to get involved with peat-free, get in touch via our contact form or sign up to our newsletter below.