Is Peat Free Gardening Possible? Before Peat We Were Peat Free & Can Be Again. Research By The RHS Leads The Way.
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We used to be peat free. And when I look at old gardening books peat isn’t mentioned except as peaty soils. We were peat free in th golden age of gardening. The Victorians are often acclaimed for their walled gardens, hot houses and more .. but didn’t use peat. They had great experience are growing fruit and veg plus had magnificent floral borders without using peat. So why do we need peat today? Are we admitting to less expertise that the Victorian or even those that dug for victory during World War Two?
The popularisation of peat in horticulture is a relatively recent phenomenon. While traditionally gardeners relied on well-rotted manure, homemade compost, and loam-based mixes, the mid-20th century saw a significant shift. The post-war gardening boom, coupled with advancements in horticultural science and the drive for convenience, led to peat being increasingly marketed as a ‘miracle’ growing medium. Its consistent structure, sterility (reducing weed seeds and pathogens), and excellent water and nutrient retention properties made it seem like the perfect solution for growing everything from seedlings to container plants. By the late 20th century, bags of peat-based compost became ubiquitous in garden centres, a staple item that most gardeners purchased without question. Some might say, without thought!
Does Peat Free Gardening Work?
I’ve been peat free for years. My nursery transitioned to peat free. It means modifying our watering and a few other things but isn’t difficult But don’t take my word for it. Look a the images above. The plant is a Davidia involucrata, the pocket handkerchief tree. It is a very healthy specimen. Well grown and ready for transplanting. Now look at the text on the pot. It has been grown in peat free compost.
Peat Free Gardening Or Carbon Release & Environmental Consequences
This peat growing convenience came at a profound environmental cost, a truth that has become increasingly clear in recent decades. Peat forms incredibly slowly, accumulating at just a millimeter a year, meaning that what we extract for our gardens takes millennia to replace. The devastating environmental impact of mining this ancient material from our delicate peatland habitats is now abundantly clear. These vital ecosystems are not merely muddy bogs; they are among our most precious natural assets, acting as vast carbon stores (holding more carbon than all the world’s forests combined), providing unique homes for specialised wildlife, and playing a critical role in natural flood regulation. Recognising this profound impact, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is at the forefront of a global, concerted effort to transition to peat-free gardening through its pioneering collaborative research initiative: the RHS Transition to Peat-Free project.
RHS Transition to Peat-Free Gardening
Launched in 2022, this ambitious five-year fellowship represents a significant commitment, being a co-funded partnership between the RHS, Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs), and key players within the horticultural industry (NB, Not just gardeners) . At its very core, the project is dedicated to identifying, developing, and promoting sustainable alternatives to peat that are not only environmentally sound but also economically viable and practically effective for both professional growers and enthusiastic home gardeners alike.
Leading this crucial research is Dr. Raghavendra Prasad, a leading expert in his field, meticulously supported by Nikki Barker, the RHS Peat-Free Transition Co-ordinator, and Claire Thorpe, RHS Peat-Free Campaign Manager. Their work is far from an isolated academic exercise; it’s a deeply collaborative endeavour. It brings together the practical expertise of eight leading UK nurseries – including industry stalwarts like Allensmore, The Farplants Group, Hillier, Hills Plants, Johnsons Nurseries, Lovania, Vitacress, and Volmary – alongside the scientific and manufacturing prowess of seven prominent growing media manufacturers such as Bulrush Horticulture, ICL, Jiffy, Klasmann-Deilmann, Levington Professional, Melcourt, and Sinclair. This extensive, integrated collaboration is vital, ensuring that the research is informed by real-world cultivation challenges and offers robust, practical solutions applicable across the diverse spectrum of the UK horticultural sector.
A central pillar of the project involves rigorous trials on an astonishingly diverse range of plants. From the hardy, everyday ornamental species that grace our borders and containers to the more challenging and sensitive plant groups, such as ericaceous plants (those acid-loving varieties like rhododendrons and camellias) and carnivorous plants (which have very specific substrate needs), the research is exploring how various peat-free growing media formulations perform. These alternatives often include materials like coir (coconut fibre), wood fibre, composted bark, green compost, and even innovative options like biochar. Each alternative presents its own unique characteristics in terms of water retention, drainage, nutrient availability, and pH. The findings from these comprehensive trials are absolutely crucial, providing invaluable data that will be disseminated widely to both the horticultural industry and the gardening public, thereby facilitating a smoother, more confident, and successful transition to peat-free practices.
RHS Transition to Peat-Free: The Challenges
The project also actively addresses the challenges faced by growers in moving away from peat. These can include adapting irrigation regimes, fine-tuning nutrient management plans (as peat alternatives often have different nutrient holding capacities), ensuring consistent product quality, and managing different bulk densities. By working directly with nurseries and manufacturers, the RHS is helping to overcome these hurdles, developing best practice guidelines and demonstrating effective solutions.
Beyond the laboratory and trial beds, the RHS Transition to Peat-Free project is actively fostering engagement and knowledge transfer within the industry. It regularly hosts targeted workshops for growers, creating invaluable forums for knowledge exchange, problem-solving, and sharing successful strategies. Furthermore, an extensive, in-depth industry-wide survey has been conducted to gain a comprehensive understanding of the current status, adoption rates, and specific challenges of peat-free horticulture across the UK. This proactive and transparent approach has even led to the development of a regularly updated public list of 100% peat-free growers, making it increasingly easier for environmentally conscious consumers to choose sustainable options and support businesses leading the charge.
For the home gardener, the transition to peat-free is becoming increasingly straightforward. Look for bags clearly labelled “peat-free” or carrying the “RHS Peat-Free” endorsement.
Be aware that peat-free composts might look and feel different from what you’re used to; they can be coarser and may dry out quicker initially, or alternatively hold more water. It’s often beneficial to adjust your watering habits, checking the compost moisture more frequently until you get a feel for it. You might also find that peat-free composts are less nutrient-rich initially, so consider incorporating a slow-release fertiliser or starting a regular feeding regime once your plants are established. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different brands and mixes to find what works best for your specific plants and gardening style.
The transition to peat-free gardening is not merely a trend; it’s a significant and necessary step towards a more sustainable and responsible future for horticulture. By supporting this vital RHS research, making conscious choices in our garden centres, and adapting our growing methods, every one of us can contribute to protecting our planet’s precious peatlands. Through dedicated research, unparalleled collaboration, and open knowledge sharing, the RHS Transition to Peat-Free project is not just paving the way for a greener, more environmentally conscious approach to growing; it’s ensuring that our beloved gardens can continue to thrive while safeguarding the invaluable natural heritage that supports all life on Earth.
Already Peat Free
Lastly, let’s not forget that many plant nurseries ar enow peat free. So all the stories that say it isn’t possible would appear to be ill informed! Producers such as the National Trust, Barcham Trees (they are huge), Hillier Nurseries, Wildlife Trusts, Greenwood Plants (a wholesale nursery selling to garden centres),etc. Many peat free producers are well established nurseries that have been in business for generations and produce huge quantities of plants each year. There is no way they can be regarded as niche businesses.
