But the only way to know if a compost is good or bad is to grow plants in it and compare them - something we've been doing for more than 30 years. OK, I’m getting political here. I believe this ban is a sop to an ill-informed green lobby to gain approval and votes by the government. It’s a greenwash fig-leaf. And it’s insane that I will be forced to buy compost that is harder to use based on material imported from halfway around the world. My favourite, excellent quality peat-based compost is currently imported from Ireland. The environment minister, Richard Benyon, said: “The actions announced today mark a new chapter in the story of our iconic peatlands – safeguarding their long-term health and vitality as part of our commitments to achieve net zero and deliver our 25-year environment plan.”

Because of commercial extraction, only about 6,000 hectares of lowland raised bog in the UK remain in pristine or near-natural condition. The latest government figures show that 62 per cent of the peat we use in growing media and soil conditioners comes from other countries, primarily the Republic of Ireland and the Baltic States and Finland. But environmentalists say that we shouldn't be contributing to our carbon footprint by importing this peat and should instead put our resources into using our own natural materials to make sustainable growing media that work. One of the best things to happen in the peat world in recent years is efforts toward making peat a renewable resource. Through organizations like the International Peat Society, ethical and ecologically sensitive harvesting has been put into practice. Living plant material is relocated to make extraction more ecological. They have developed initiatives to mitigate the conflicting interests of land protectors, conservationists, and peat producers. No Nutrients

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The right balance of nutrients - a good seed or potting compost should have the right balance of nutrients to grow a range of plants during this stage of their development, whereas a multipurpose compost should be able to support plants at all growth stages. Remember that most composts only have enough fertiliser to last around four weeks, so after this you will need to add liquid feed or one of our Best controlled-release fertilisers .

You’ll find peat in many grass and lawn fertilizer and even in septic systems. In fact, one popular filter option on the market includes a coco and peat moss combo. The company behind the system claims it has the lowest carbon footprint of any comparable product on the market. However, there is no indication that those claims take into account the amount of CO2 that gets released into the environment when they harvest the peat used in these septic filter systems. Use compost in a well-ventilated place; keep the greenhouse or potting shed door open and avoid breathing in dust. When it comes to the uses of peat moss, seed-starting is one of the places where it shines. Mix peat with perlite and vermiculite and you have a great seed starting mix that is also soil-less. This mixture provides seeds with the right amount of drainage and aeration that will help plant roots grow strong and healthy. Add a little compost to feed plant roots some nutrients too! The moss will release the water to maintain the wetland as well. This is why peat moss is such an essential addition to gardeners’ soil. Much of what we do is figure out the best possible ways to carry out good water retention in the garden. Peat moss bogs and in turn peaty soil are the main sources of moisture retention for many. That’s why it’s commonly used in potting soil, and to line wire baskets. All-Natural Source

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Our peatlands exemplify the multiple benefits society can reap from healthy natural systems. Healthy peatlands are among our most precious habitats, offering a home to some our scarcest plants and animals. They comprise diverse landscapes too, located not only in our remote uplands but also in lowland areas, such as fens. It's also lightweight to transport, and a relatively "blank canvas" in terms of nutrients. "Manufacturers can just add whatever nutrients they want to, very often synthetic nutrients, and it will hang on to those well and release them, says Conroy. I think the other UK ‘nations’ are following England’s lead. Ireland too in time. Of course, the Dutch will not ban it. They know what works and can see a commercail advan tage as their plants will thrive while UK plants wither away. Which would you buy? Having said that, homemade compost is a great mulch and soil feeder as well as the perfect medium for germinating and growing. We urge everyone to make their own if they can. Even a small garden has room for a compost can and all you need to make wonderful, crumbly, garden-boosting compost is green kitchen peelings, grass clipping and chopped up woody prunings.'

UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, an internationally respected independent, not-for-profit research institute. I highly recommend reading this pdf: Peatlands Factsheet The Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra) said on Saturday the sale of peat-based compost would be banned in garden centres and supermarkets within 18 months. Peat is derived from plants that partially decompose in waterlogged conditions. The anaerobic conditions prevent the plant material from fully breaking down. Peat requires boggy areas like the fens to form.My worry is that gardeners will stop growing plants if they fork out for expensive treasures that succumb to increased disease or cannot get established and wither and die. The more people that enjoy their garden and garden successfully can only benefit the planet. Surely, those who do not make their livelihood from growing plants can accept a delay and help our all-important horticultural sector survive. Some are bagged separately, and some are combined with decayed organic materials to be incorporated into potting soils sold worldwide. Some are made into peat pellets, and some are sold as simply peat moss. Then it hits the shelves, where you’ve likely seen and bought it. Benefits of Peat Moss Another view of sphagnum peat moss growing in the Lulu bog. Source: Chris Chung Instead of peat moss, I predominantly used coir-based compost in the gardens where I worked,' says Drew Swainston. 'Coir, or coconut fiber to give it its full name, is made from coconut husks and is very popular as an organic compost. Coir compost has a great water-retention capacity and I found it worked brilliantly as a potting compost. The degree of sustainability associated with a growing medium will in future be indicated by its score on the RSS label, which will allow consumers to make an informed choice. See also