Hey everyone! I've recently learned that the UK is banning peat in gardening by 2030, while in the US, many still use it regularly. As a gardener in the US, I'm curious to know what others think about going peat-free. What alternatives do you use, and how has your experience been? Also, UK gardeners, can you confirm the current status of that peat ban?
4 Answers
I just did some planting experiments with different soil types, including peat moss mixed with perlite, coco coir, and diatomaceous earth. I've heard about the sustainability issues with peat, so I'm trying to switch up my garden routine while using up the leftover peat from my garage. It's an interesting journey!
We found some leftover Jiffy peat pellets from a couple of years ago. The box claims the peat is sustainably harvested, but I'm skeptical about that. Peat bogs take ages to form, so I doubt it’s truly sustainable.
What do people use instead of peat? I find it really helpful, especially in hot dry climates. It helps retain moisture so well!
I switched to using compost and planting native species. They perform much better and are super low maintenance!
I usually only have peat in my seed starting mixes, but honestly, it's way too pricey for large-scale use. For my raised beds, I've just been using topsoil mixed with my homemade compost instead. Way cheaper and works well!
Yeah, peat bogs are really slow to regenerate, so I share your doubts. It's tough to trust those labels without clear evidence.