Peat-free Compost

That's a bit of a Catch 22 solution for the Gardener, Redwing.

How can Gardeners stop buying compost containing peat if there is no viable replacement.? Do they stop gardening, propagating plants, etc for how many years it's takes for a working alternative solution to be given?

What about the main culprits who are responsible for burning millions of tons of peat for Power Stations? You seem to be ignoring them and, yet again, focusing on the Gardeners who would use a peat free compost but, despite efforts from the Industry, none has been found. How can we point fingers at Gardeners for being non conservationist when countries are still burning Peat and Coal for Power Stations.
Peat preservation, and the use of it in the Horticultural area, is but a tiny element in conservation and yet there seems to be an accepted drive to focus on that while rather acknowledging that Peat, and Coal, is being used in the million of tons every year for "cheap" energy. The "Elephant in the Room" are the countries who burn, in massive amounts, Peat and Coal and their attempts to divert attention and blame people who basically tend their gardens in the best way they can while conserving the Wildlife around them.

 

Actually, I deliberately included countries who use Coal burning Power Stations as well as Peat Burning Power Stations in that sentence as such methods are adding to pollution which is in the conservation area. Pressure has over the years been applied to the UK Governments, past and present, to eliminate such practices and to go down more Green methods of producing energy. We have now 9 Coal Burning Stations in the UK and they will finish in 2025, while also ceasing production of new petrol/diesel cars by 2044.. In the USA there are 589 Coal fired Power Station with the present Administration now opening the gates for even more Coal Burning and lengthening the life of them..........that's a not conservation policy and I suspect their view on the use of peat follow the same path. Use of Peat, Coal, timber, etc, for whatever purpose, are all intertwined and focusing on a small area merely allows the really massive users to sit back and watch with glee.

To be honest, I think most gardeners, globally, are more than aware of the benefits and penalties of using Peat added compost and it has been discussed many times on GC. But, again, Gardeners are faced with either stopping gardening because of the unavailability of a suitable alternative.

It's estimated that 1.5 million tons are used annually to produce cheap energy.

No, I didn't say that, Redwing, or infer it. Nearly all Gardeners are aware of the problem with using Peat added Compost, but they are in a, as I said, Catch 22 position. They are faced with failed crops or plants if they use any of the Peat free composts on offer, stopping gardening, or continuing to use Peat Added Compost.


I suspect we're both thinking alike but that I can't see any purpose in ignoring the real culprits and accusing gardeners who would, without doubt, switch to a Peat Free Compost that was viable and marketed at an affordable price, of not being aware of the situation or responsible for having to use Peat add Compost..

 

Hi KFF, that's interesting and good to know. I've found 2 X 10 litre Coco Coir Bricks/Blocks for £4.49 but, at that price, I would be faced with an annual bill of around £600 plus against a present bill of around £75
. Also I note, that for general garden use it has be be used as a mixture as well as in potting....which would add further to my cost. Monty Don is a fan, but I'm always cautious when it comes to TV personalities recommending item's, as they very rarely have to pay for the use of the stuff used in whatever quantities they use.Some of the Gardeners in the Local Gardening Club has trialed Coco Compost and found it not to be to their liking quoting poor plant growth against peat added compost......I haven't done that but they are seasoned, knowledgeable and, more importantly open minded gardeners so that makes me doubtful of coir compost ability.
I did point out that most gardeners are waiting impatiently for a suitable affordable alternative and feel frustrated that they are being accused of being irresponsible for using peat added compost, so again, in my view, there is still no viable, affordable, alternative.

 

Because, redwing, ordinary "homemade" compost does not contain, or retain, nutrients to the extent that commercial compost does. Garden compost is used as a soil improver and that is what I have used it for the last 30 or so years to do just that to my sandy, hungry, soil. It is not sterile, does not have the ability to hold Nitrogen, Phosphates, Potash and the other essentials needed to make a first class potting on or plant/seed growing. It does not have the advantages, or convenience, of commercial peat added compost which has Nitrogen, Phosphates and Postash added and which will last up to six weeks while being used as a growing medium.

I don't buy Peat, Redwing/ I buy between 1200 and 1800 litres of Peat added compost to grow my seedlings, new plants and Tomatoes.