Finding ways to garden more sustainably is only going to become more important as time goes on and the realities of climate change really start to make themselves felt… and one very quick way you can make your garden even greener is by avoiding peat compost altogether.
While it may be amazing for your plants, the use of peat is very problematic from an eco-friendly perspective, since we need our valuable peatlands to help us with carbon capture and storage, water filtration, flood prevention and biodiversity.
Now is in fact the perfect time to seek out some alternatives to peat compost, since it’s just been announced that sales of peat for use on private allotments and gardens will be banned in England from 2024… so what could you use instead?
If you’ve been using peat for mulch or to improve your soil, the good news is that there are lots of other materials out there that are actually better suited for such applications. The likes of coir, brack, sheep’s wool waste, wood fibre and bark can all be used to help your gardens grow and thrive, without having a big impact on the environment.
It’s important to do some research into the different alternatives, however, so you can pick and choose the best ones for the plants you have, as well as making note of any changes you’ll need to make with regards to watering and feeding.
Buying peat-free compost is a great step to take if you are keen to be a sustainable gardener, but also make sure that you check the wording on products before you buy, as organic and environmentally friendly may not necessarily mean that peat is not included.
Another option – and one that could save you money at the same time – is to make your own compost as a good soil improver. As you can see, there are lots of options available to you, if you are keen to go peat-free!
Looking for help with landscaping in Chester at the moment? Get in touch with LW Landscapes today.