For pete's sake - peat tax

We seem to be on to using examples of fundamentalist gardeners at both ends of the spectrum.

As ARMANDII says, the vast majority of gardeners use peat in proportionately small quantities. It is in the mix of general purpose compost and this type of compost works much better than the poor substitutes. I have tried almost all of those substitutes and have had to revert to those that contain a proportion of peat. I use compost in sufficient quantities (about 4,000 litres each spring) to have been able to carry out comparative tests and not just having to rely on outside reports.

My compost is never used for plants specifically needing a lower PH but for just the normal flowers, shrubs and veggies. We use it for propagating seeds and then bringing them up through their various stages of growth.

Most gardeners use it for the same purpose and to imply that 'free reign' means that they are all going to use it in order to grow acid loving plants is giving the wrong impression. I'm sure you didn't mean to give that impression or to say that gardeners should be restricted and 'virtually' governed by garden police :D but it does seem to be leaning that way.

 

Well, again, we're all thinking the same even if it is being said from different perspectives. You're right our replacements aren't a satisfactory replacement for what was there originally. Unfortunately, it looks like that while we in the UK are slowly realising what environmental damage we have done and getting into the "green thing" the "Developing Countries" are continuing where we left off.

It isn't just now that the damage is being done. In the last 100 years we've had 2 World Wars plus numerous other wars of varying sizes. In those wars we have squandered more natural resources, while trying to wipe ourselves out, that even today's events don't equal. And all that did was set the stage for the blind need by all nations for more resources to rebuild themselves into the Top Nation.

I could develop this point further but mankind, I believe, will continue to do what it's doing and we can't stop it. Just as on this Forum we will continue to post within Threads and disagree with each other on different issues. But what we do have to learn is to disagree with each other amicably. When people find someone is disagreeing with their [correct:D] opinion the natural human reaction is to [a] misinterpret/misread what the other person has said, or/and "attack the person verbally and not the point of view the person is expressing. You cannot expect to have other people respect your point of view if you are "shouting" or being derisive about the person with a different point of view.

Yacobian, while I understand your confidence in your studies to "be able to pinpoint, objectively, the issues surrounding the mass consumption of resources" may I respectfully observe that whilst studying is a powerful tool to gain knowledge there is one thing that studying won't give you - experience. Put the two together and then you're talking - and people will listen to you out of respect.

Makka, my friend, I still think you should read posts at least twice, as I try to do, because I think you'll have realised by now that Yacobian. while expounding over the loss of natural resources, is using peat in his compost. His point is, I believe, that he regrets strongly that he has to use it and is only keen to make us all aware of the need to use our natural resources in a sensible way.

 

Thanks ARMANDII, for such a well balanced summing up.

I'm just off into the garden to use some more of my peat infested compost but I'll make sure I wear my hair shirt. :D

 

I think that we should lobby for 'Peat Offsetting' to be inserted into the Kyoto Protocol. As an Annex 1 partner we have some liability to attempt to balance things. So the insertion by politicians and law makers should solve all problems :WINK1: .

pete and Dai, I've saved you the necessity of making comments.

 

You're kind of on the right track there shiney, I'm using that Wickes compost which is high in peat but I do my best in other ares to 'offset', like collecting enough rainwater over winter to keep my veg patch watered during the summer growing season.

 

John, you are also carbon offsetting by using less compost because Wickes compost is more efficient and that lowers the lowers mileage. :WINK1:

Of course, that still shouldn't stop politicians and law makers from inserting something. :yess: