A future without peat

Many people are unaware that the U.K. has nearly 7.4 million acres of peatland, approximately 10% of the country’s whole land area. Nearly 9 million cubic metres is extracted annually, 3 million of which is for horticultural use. The natural properties of peat - such as its low electric conductivity and low pH, - coupled with its capacity to hold water and air, have for generations made it the excellent first choice substrate for growing nursery stock crops. However, times are changing. The U.K. peatlands are now recognised as a vital natural carbon sink, situated in unique habitats and home to some rare plant and animal species. Consequently, the government has embarked on a phased approach to ban the use of peat, beginning with the ban of retail sales bagged compost in 2025, followed by a ban on the professional use of peat in 2026. There will be some exceptions, such as plant production methods where peat cannot be readily replaced, but by 2030 all uses of peat will be banned.

Whilst on the surface it might appear that there is an urgency for U.K. nursery stock growers to find suitable peat-free growing media alternatives, the sector has been reducing its reliance on peat for many years. In part this has been driven by the market, with key influencers such as the National Trust, a heritage and nature conservation charity, pushing growers to provide their retail outlets with peat free plants, and there is also a general increased environmental awareness amongst U.K. consumers. Growing media used now actually contains less than half the amount of peat used twenty years ago, so we look safe to meet these deadlines.

Whilst a ban on the use of peat is good for the environment, this is quite a nuanced debate. There is still a considerable environmental impact from the production and transportation of peat alternatives such as wood fibre. Growing media manufacturers in the U.K. such as ICL, Bulrush and Melcourt have made significant strides in developing effective peat-free potting mixes, but nursery stock growers are having to learn that plants grown in the alternatives, whether they be based on wood fibre, bark, coir or green waste, require different management. Typically, plants grown in peat-free growing media tend to dry out more quickly and once dry, they are difficult to re-wet. Peat-free plants can look dry when there is still plenty of moisture at the bottom of the pot, and so the temptation is to over water, thinking that the plant is dry when it is not. Overwatering peat-free composts also leaches out the nutrients faster than plants grown in peat, often resulting in nitrogen and iron deficiencies.

The challenge then facing U.K. nursery stock growers is to learn how to grow a wide range of crops without peat, while mitigating the increased costs involved in water and nutrient management. Plants are generally expected to increase in price, but the other concern growers have is how will their plants perform on the retail centre? Plants grown in peat-free growing media require a different watering regime on the garden centre. To keep a retailer’s offering looking ‘nursery fresh’ retailers will need to train their staff in new techniques, perhaps something nursery owners are going to have to help with. There is also a concern consumers may not know how to care for the plant and be put off gardening if their plants perform badly. Information and education will be key.

Generally speaking, I think U.K. businesses and consumers are adaptable and positive, and I’m sure having got to grips with Brexit we’ll get our heads around a new method of plant care and production. There will be other business and environmental challenges ahead, and we do need to change with the times.

Neville Stein has been working in the U.K. horticultural sector for 46 years, 30 of which have been spent as an independent business consultant. His clients include the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, The Royal Horticultural Society, The Horticultural Trades Association, Longwood Gardens and many privately owned nursery businesses. He is also a speaker, author and lecturer. www.nevillestein.com