You may have seen compost labelled as peat-free, but if you aren’t aware what peat is, and importantly, where it comes from, you wouldn’t understand why it is so important to choose a peat-free product.
You also probably wouldn’t know that if a compost is not labelled as peat-free, then it likely comprises between 60-90% peat.
To fully appreciate why we should all be sourcing peat-free composts, it’s best to start at the beginning; what is peat, and where does it come from?
On the surface it might just seem like a load of mud, but peat bogs are much more than that.
In the UK they are referred to as our rainforests. This is because of the delicate nature of their composition, but crucially because they absorb, and store, carbon.
It is estimated they store a combined 500 metric gigatons of carbon (which is a LOT!).
As if this isn’t reason enough, peat bogs provide an important habitat for the plants, insects and wildlife which live there.
For allotment use, peat can easily be replaced with a peat-free substitute.
Something as simple as choosing a peat-free compost will deliver an immediate improvement on the situation.
To learn a little bit about the use of peat-free compost on allotments, the N.A.S. is inviting members to take part in a short survey.
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