Did anyone switch to peat free last year?

Hi Andy
I have tried it a couple of times but have never had good results compaired to peat based ones ..Only my opinion and experience . Others may disagree ..
Dave

 

I've been using New Horizons peat free & not had any problems with it.

Also been using spent mushroom compost, which does contain some peat (the casing layer, about 4 inches is a mixture of peat and chalk) but is a by product.

 

Ahh, I was buying it when it was buy 2 get 1 free.

 

Last year I used a bag of Goodwins compost and it was hopeless.This year I have switched back to b&q's multi purpose,its much better.

 

I find this to be the best, but I mix some topsoil and some well rotted manure with it

the first few times that you water, it takes a while to drain, but after that, it is very good

 

Blimey Shiney ,thats some compost ..

Dave

 

Thats ok then as I only grow vegetables

 

As I posted in another thread
Beechgrove garden had to do a peat free promotion
and at the end Jim intimated to the world well I know what I will be using next year (and itimated it would not be peat free)

I expect professional gardeners or experienced amateur gardeners would know the difference
The beginners like myself and the general public would not know the difference and start a whole new breed of ignorant to the truth gardeners, accepting the results they got were normal

Having said this I agree we need to conserve the planet, for my own grandchildren and their grandchildren
Though you can not bring back what is gone

So what else is in danger of vanishing if we continue using peat other than the peat itself, as I understand it nothing as what was dependant on peat has already gone

Jack McHammocklasing

 

I'm sure i woudn't have paid as much as Shiney said though, pretty sure I got big bags for £3.95 plus a free one.

 

[quote/]

So what else is in danger of vanishing if we continue using peat other than the peat itself, as I understand it nothing as what was dependant on peat has already gone

Jack McHammocklasing[/quote]

Its not that simple Jack, its whole ecosystems.

To get the peat they have to drain the levels, and doing that sods it up for all the wildlife that depends on it.

Birds, frogs newts etc.

If you could go down into the Somerset Levels in Spring & just listen to the sounds around there you would get the picture.

There are creatures down there that you won't find anywhere else.

Bitterns, Bearded Reedlings, Ceti's Warblers etc. Otters, Marsh Frogs.

A conservationist once said, using peat to put on the garden roses was the equivalent of knocking down St Pauls Cathedral & using the rubble to line the garden path.

BBC - Nature UK: Audio slideshow: Sounds of Spring episode 2

 

The UK is way behind target looks like they haven't found a decent substitute yet well not cost effective anyway.
Gardeners urged to stop using peat-based compost - Green Living - Environment - The Independent