Peat Free Composts: All You Need To Know
Over the past few years, there has been increased awareness of peat-based composts and their environmental effects. Leading to calls for gardeners to switch over their gardens to use more sustainable alternatives like peat-free compost. To meet these demands, we here at Porton Garden Aquatic & Pets are delighted to announce that this year we’ve taken on a new supplier of premium organic peat-free composts – Southern Trident – and stocked up with all their bagged varieties from Harmony Gardens and CoCo & Coir.
In addition, recent reports have shown that Chelsea flower show and homeowners are also opting to move away from conventional peat-based landscaping in favour of peat-free options this year.
Nevertheless, what is Peat Free Compost? In addition, how does it compare to traditional methods?
In this blog post, let’s take an in-depth look into the world of Peat Free Compost so you can make an informed decision as a gardener or landscaper looking for greener solutions!
What is Peat?
Peat is a soil found in wetlands caused by organic matter decomposing over thousands of years, which forms layers that become dried out when exposed to air – it has some similarities to coal due to its origin in an ancient environment. Still, it does not contain fossil fuels like coal does. It contains carbon stored within it, making it a valuable resource and an excellent tool for gardeners; however, severe environmental concerns are associated with harvesting peat. This means replacing traditional materials with alternatives is becoming more important and popular than ever, such as peat-free composts.
What Is Peat Free Compost? 
To put it simply, it’s any gardening media that doesn’t contain peat. Peat-free composts are typically made up of other organic materials, which can be sourced from a variety of places, including wood, bark, coir (coconut husk), green waste, or barrow-dried grass & animal manure – all grown organically and sustainably without the use of chemicals.
Peat is typically used as an ingredient in compost for its ability to retain moisture and nutrients; however, this once plentiful material obtained from lowland bogs has sadly become increasingly scarce due to years of mining and digging with no sustainability measures put in place. As such, by investing in peat-free alternatives like Southern Trident’s range, we, as gardeners, can help protect our environment while still finding robust and reliable solutions that work just as good (if not better) than traditional products!
How to Select a Suitable Peat Free Compost for Your Garden?
At Porton Garden Aquatic & Pets, we understand many different brands offer peat-free growing media, so how do you know which one is best suited for your particular gardening needs? Below are a few things to consider when selecting a suitable peat-free compost for your garden.
- Check the label – Every growing medium has a different formulation, so make sure you read and understand the label before purchasing.
- Determine what type of plants you’ll be growing – Not all composts are created equal; some soil mixtures are more suited for certain plants than others.
- Consider if soil amendment is needed – Some composts may require additional nutrients or fertilisers to achieve maximum benefit.
Benefits of Going Peat-Free Compost
“Going Green” always sounds appealing, but let us look into some actual benefits associated with opting for peat-free compost:
Environmentally friendly: Apart from being genuinely sustainable thanks to its alternative sources, going peat free also helps reduce CO2 emissions caused by burning energy-intensive machinery during extraction processes, both at the time of harvesting & through transportation afterwards. This means your conscience can enjoy peace of mind knowing that your garden is taking a step towards sustainability with every bag you open!
More robust Root Development
Roots love peat-free composts because they contain larger particles, which create air pockets for increased oxygen penetration. This, in turn, helps increase water drainage, resulting in healthier and stronger root development over time – perfect for growing anything from bedding plants to newly planted trees & shrubs.
Improved Plant Health
Another excellent feature of peat-free compost is the high number of beneficial bacteria. These beneficial organisms act as natural fertilisers at work, breaking down organic matter into nitrogen and other essential minerals so your plants can use them as food during the growing season. In addition, their presence helps reduce damage caused by pests or fungi while at the same time encouraging natural decomposition, making them an ideal solution even if you’re transplanting existing plants & flowers into new soil!
Longer Lasting
Due to its robust composition, it stands up better over time, meaning you will not have to replace it as often, making it more cost-effective!
Easy To Use
Peat-free composts are easy to use, just like traditional products, so you will not have any trouble getting set up and ready for gardening.
Where Can I Buy Peat Free Compost?
Here at Porton Garden Aquatic & Pets, we take our environmental importance seriously; that is why this year, we have taken on Southern Trident’s range of premium quality Harmony Gardens and CoCo & Coir peat-free composts so our customers now have more environmentally friendly alternative when it comes to selecting their perfect soil or manure.
These 100% organic products come in bags of various sizes, making them suitable for everything from individual pots & containers to large-scale landscaping projects. They are available to purchase online and in store so that you can find the right solution every time!
In short, increased environmental awareness has resulted in more gardeners & landscapers searching for peat-free compost solutions like Southern Trident’s range here at Porton Garden Aquatic & Pets. We have tried and tested these excellent fertilisers ourselves and couldn’t be happier with their performance thus far – not only do they offer improved root development opportunities and assist with plant health by allowing beneficial bacteria to flourish! In addition, what’s more convenient is that either you can easily buy these eco-conscious alternatives online or over the counter whenever suits you best – so why wait? Go greener today!
