Home Garden & Home Health & Environment Advice from Years of Peat Free Testing

Advice from Years of Peat Free Testing

Hillier Multi Purpose Peat Free Compost Close Up

After years of testing, we are now peat free on our nurseries and would like to share our learnings.

In the pursuit of sustainable and eco-friendly gardening, the choice to go peat free is not just a preference — it’s a commitment to preserving precious habitats and combating climate change.

Let’s explore the pros and cons alongside some valuable tips to make the most of your peat free gardening experience.

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Why Grow Peat Free?

Peat, the organic layer of soil which consists of decomposed organic matter, is often sourced from wetland habitats. It is a well-hidden environmental menace.

Peatlands are vital ecosystems for specialised wildlife, storing vast amounts of the greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane, and playing a crucial role in flood prevention.

Opting for peat free compost alternatives is a conscious step towards protecting these habitats and mitigating environmental damage.

The Considerations of Growing Peat Free

By switching to a peat free compost and actively helping the environment you may notice a change in the care you should take of your plants. Here are some of the things to consider when growing peat free:

Environmental benefits: Choosing peat free compost is a positive contribution to the environment and climate.
High quality options: While it might cost slightly more, premium peat free products ensure a superior gardening experience.
Variable quality: Peat free products can exhibit variations in quality and nutrient content, making consistent results a bit challenging.
Water management: Water makes peat free composts behave differently and they need careful checking to avoid drying or over wetting. Some peat free composts may be prone to drying out or becoming waterlogged, impacting plant growth.

BIO3: Revolutionising Peat Free Materials

BIO3, our peat replacement, is a game-changer in the realm of sustainable gardening. Comprising three key elements, BIOFibre, West+, and Coir+, it ensures optimal plant growth and nourishment.

BIOFibre*: A natural, nutrient-rich fibre that supports plant roots as they grow. This assists a fast and efficient transfer of nutrients and moisture to the plant, promoting robust growth.
West+*: Utilising unique wood fibre technology, West+ creates an ideal compost structure with optimal air spaces. This fosters the very best root growth, ensuring your plants thrive in their peat free environment.
Coir+*: Acting like a sponge, Coir+ stores and releases moisture and nutrients for extended periods. This element contributes to the overall resilience and health of your garden plants.

*Only applies to Westland Compost.

close up of compost with shallow depth of field

Tips for Successful Peat Free Gardening

You can make the most of your peat free gardening with our expert helpful tips:

Consider fertiliser support: container plants thrive with a controlled-release fertiliser to support healthy growth and longevity.
Water vigilantly: check the compost below the surface – the top layer can be dry, but the rest might be wet. If possible, take the plant out of the pot to check water level.
- In hanging baskets use water retaining gels. Despite its appearance, peat free compost can be dry around the roots. Regular, thorough watering is essential.
Supplemental feeding: after 4-6 weeks, the inherent fertilisers in peat free compost may deplete. If growth slows down, a liquid feed will provide the necessary nutrients (if you don’t use control release).

Tailoring to Your Garden’s Needs

Each garden is different and as such you should consider the needs of your garden when using a peat free alternative. Here two actions you can take in most gardens to benefit the overall health of your plants and soil.

Create an Enhanced Mix: Blend 1/3 topsoil with your peat free compost and add drainage elements like grit or small stones.
Integrating Fertiliser: Some gardeners incorporate fertilisers directly into the compost but be mindful of the need for periodic top-ups every 5-6 weeks.

A Growing Commitment to Sustainability

A ban on peat use in the amateur sector is set for the end of 2024, followed by a comprehensive ban in 2030.

This decisive action underscores the urgency of adopting peat free alternatives, with innovations like BIO3 leading the change towards a greener and more sustainable gardening future.

By embracing peat free gardening, you not only make a positive impact on the environment but also contribute to the longevity and health of your garden. It’s a green journey, rich in rewards and mindful choices, ensuring your garden thrives in harmony with nature.

Hillier’s Approach to Peat Free

We actively support research and development investigating alternatives to peat.

On our Hillier Nurseries in Hampshire, our plant production moved from 75% peat free in 2020, to 95% in 2021, finally becoming 100% peat free in 2023, ensuring all home-grown plants sold in Hillier Garden Centres are peat free.

Our container trees are all grown using 100% peat free compost.

Stacked Hillier Multi Purpose Peat Free Compost Bags Close Up Side View

Our Multi-Purpose Compost Selection

You can find a growing number of products that are completely peat free at all Hillier Garden Centres, including our own Hillier Peat Free Multi-Purpose Compost, along with naturally produced soil conditioners.

Hillier Peat Free Multi-Purpose Compost

In spring 2020, we launched a completely peat free version of our popular Hillier Multi-Purpose compost. It contains a mixture of west+ (natural fibres to encourage good rooting), coir+ and composted bark plus fertiliser.

This combination of natural ingredients has been shown to be able to compete with peat-based products in terms of growing performance. This means gardeners can use peat free compost in the same way they use traditional compost. You don’t need to add anything into the soil or alter your watering routine.

Discover more about our online range of peat free compost and soil improvers.

The Peat Free Future

We know there is more we can do. With quality peat free alternatives tried and tested, the biggest remaining challenge is to be able to source enough of the source material – such as wood fibre – to meet demand.

This is something the entire industry is working on.

We also need to help raise awareness among gardeners about the existence of quality peat-free, sustainable alternatives.

Find Hillier Peat Free Multi-Purpose Compost at your local Hillier Garden Centre.