Peatlands cover just 3% of the world’s land surface but contain at least a quarter of the world’s soil carbon; potentially more than is stored in all forests globally. Harvesting peat releases this stored carbon into the atmosphere and accelerates climate change. In the UK, nearly 80% of our remaining peatlands are in a degraded condition, and that degradation is responsible for an incredible 4% of our annual greenhouse gas emissions. Destroying peatlands also destroys the fragile and unique ecosystems that depend on these wetland environments.
Most peat sold in the UK is used in compost. In recent years there have been numerous campaigns to ban horticultural peat. While some retailers and producers have voluntarily chosen to produce and sell peat-free compost and plants, there is as yet no legislation that prevents either the harvesting or the sale of peat. Peat is not an essential component of compost, and there is an increasing number of environmentally friendly alternatives. However, more than a third of all compost sold in the UK in 2021 was peat.
Quite simply, creating green spaces and growing plants using peat compost does not enhance the environment – it harms it. Even TV gardener Monty Don has described it as “environmental vandalism.” He, and many others, are calling for a ban on horticultural peat.
What can we do to preserve peat?
First – stop buying products that contain peat. This generally includes compost, but you’ll also need to check that any plants you buy have been grown in a peat-free medium. There are a number of ways you can do this:
- Peat-free compost is now widely available, and a number of big supermarkets have already pledged to go peat-free. The Co-op has already achieved this, Tesco and Morrisons have almost entirely phased it out.
- Stuck for an alternative? The RHS has excellent and comprehensive advice on choosing peat free compost here.
- The Dogwood Days website has a list of peat-free nurseries in England, Wales and Scotland, displayed on an interactive map. This is a great place to start when sourcing plants for your site:
- Make your own compost! It’s easy to do, especially if you have an existing green space that produces plenty of plant offcuts and lawn trimmings. And that way you’ll save the plastic that compost is typically packed in, too.
Second – spread the word! Anyone who has a garden, balcony, allotment or houseplants may be using peat unnecessarily, and without knowing the damage it causes. Speak with family and friends, and join the #PeatFreeApril campaign on Twitter.
Finally, support the organisations campaigning to end the sale of horticultural peat. You can sign this petition from the Wildlife Trusts, and become a member of or donate to organisations such as Plantlife, Buglife and RSPB that are working to raise awareness of the issue. They also actively manage and conserve the UK’s remaining peatlands.
Further reading:
- Plantlife: Why we need to keep peat in the ground and out of our gardens
- Buglife: Don’t get bogged down with peat
- Seedball: The peat free movement is-having a moment. Here’s how you can get involved
- The Office for National Statistics: UK natural capital: peatlands
- IUCN: Peatlands and climate change
- Royal Horticultural Society: Peat-free growing media
Banner photo: Peat dams in ditch on lowland raised bog, Rusland Valley Mosses, Cumbria © Natural England/Jacqueline Ogden. Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)