The benefits of planting with peat-free compost!

Peat-free compost is a totally natural and eco-friendly compost which is made from recycled garden materials including bark, wood fibre and coir, that is not only great for your garden but great for the environment too. And with peat becoming a limited resource across the world, many gardeners are beginning to opt for a peat-free alternative.

Here we explain the benefits of switching to peat-free composts and how to use to it most effectively in your garden.

WHAT IS PEAT?

Peat is a natural product that is primarily sourced from sterile, acidic and waterlogged conditions of peat bogs and fens.

Peat acts as a carbon store, provides a habitat for many scarce wildlife and is great for water management as it holds up to 20 times its own weight in water.

For many years now, peat has been used in potting compost because of its ability to retain water and nutrients. However, many question the use of peat in compost due to its damaging effects to the environment.

WHAT’S IN PEAT-FREE COMPOST?

Peat-free composts are typically made up from materials such as wood fibre, composted bark, composted garden waste and coconut fibre, more commonly known as coir. You can also find composts containing sterilised soil, vermiculite, perlite, grit and manure.

Bark

Coir

Grit

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF USING PEAT-FREE COMPOST?

Using peat-free compost has a number of benefits for your garden and for the environment as well.

If you are looking for an effective soil improver, it is much better to use a peat-free product as peat is low in nutrients and too fine. The bulky organic material found in a peat free soil enricher is great for improving the organic content of soil – we recommend Bloomin’ Amazing Soil Enricher, new to Tong this year.

Peat-free compost is also perfect for potting up established seedlings and general repotting but is not always ideal for sowing seeds. Phil, our garden sundries buyer, recommends sieving your peat-free compost to break up any large pieces of matter and mixing it with vermiculite if you are planning to sow your seedlings with it.

HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR PLANTS USING PEAT-FREE COMPOST…

Getting used to peat-free composts can be tricky – especially if you’re a gardener that has used peat for years. However, with a little care and a bit of trial and error, you should get very good results.

1. TAKE CARE WHEN WATERING

Peat free composts with high coir and bark contents can look well-watered on the surface but can still be very dry around the roots.

2. MONITOR FEEDING

Most peat-free composts contain a small amount of fertiliser but this usually runs out after four to six weeks. Continue to check your plants regularly and apply a liquid feed such as Miracle Gro All Purpose Concentrate Organic Liquid Feed if the growth or flowering of your plants slows down.

3. ADD A CONTROLLED-RELEASE FERTILISER

Add a controlled-release fertiliser such as Miracle Gro All Purpose Organic Granulated Feed when planting pots or baskets of bedding plants or vegetables that will be in their container for a prolonged period of time.

A FEW THINGS TO REMEMBER…

Check the bag – if it doesn’t say peat-free then it most likely isn’t
A good quality peat-free growing media is usually a little more expensive.
Check the label on the bag and read the advice offered as it may need slightly different treatment. Pay particular attention to watering and feeding requirements as these do tend to differ to composts that use peat.