USE PEAT-FREE COMPOST

So, what’s the problem with peat in compost? Peat is harvested by draining naturally occurring peat bogs. These bogs take centuries to form and a whopping 95% have already been lost in the UK. They provide a niche habitat for specific plants and wildlife, as well as storing enormous amounts of carbon. Harvesting releases all this carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere and the implications are so serious that the government has now stepped in to fund the restoration of peat bogs.

How can we help? Seek out a peat-free compost – there are plenty to choose from, and they’ve been shown in most cases to be just as good for growing plants as the ones containing peat. Check the plants you’re buying have been grown in peat-free compost too. Many nurseries and garden centres are switching over or already have, and asking the question encourages the industry to move in the right direction.