While the government confirmed earlier this year that a ban on all peat-based gardening products is now unlikely to be implemented before the next election, at The Gardens Group, we have remained committed to our original target of becoming peat-free in our composts and other bagged goods by 2024. The ban proposed is to save peat bogs which are environmentally important habitats, to maintain the important role that peat bogs play in storing water, but most importantly to stop the release of CO2 which is stored in large quantities in peat bogs and gets released during the harvesting process.

While there have been numerous challenges to overcome, we’re delighted to report that we are on target to achieve this by the spring. We would have reached our goal by the end of 2023, but this has been delayed by a surplus in the supply of one of our core ranges. This left us needing to use it up rather than waste it altogether, which would of course be much less kind to the environment.

Having been peat-free in our own nursery for some time, we’re excited to bring our bagged range in line with our own operations in Sherborne, Yeovil and Poundbury. We’ve worked hard to help our suppliers achieve this, and of course to take our customers along on the journey with us.

Advances in peat-free alternatives are being made all the time, with some of this year’s highlights including peat-free seed composts and ericaceous composts coming to market. Better still, we now have new fertilisers such as Boost and Big Tom specifically designed for peat-free gardening which will make the transition so much more successful. There is also evidence coming through that watering requirements aren’t greater than with peat based compost – it just looks drier on the surface.

We know changing old habits can present challenges in the garden, but we’re here to help. At all three of our garden centres, the team is on hand to share their knowledge, experience and tips. So if you need any support with the transition to peat-free gardening, please do call in and give us a challenge!

Mike