UK Peat ban 2024

[seymore_budz]

What's up GR420,

So I only just spotted that the government plan to ban peat based media for domestic use.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/plan ... ure-sector

Considering 90% of the substrate sold in growshops are peat based, this is going to cause massive disruption for us UK growers. Have any of you guys thought about alternatives? If so, what are your plans to mitigate potential issues?

[seymore_budz]

B&Q sell many peat free composts. You could always make your own if you have space.

[GMO]

Yeah as most use coco peat I dont think its gonna have a massive effect

translated from the bongo of the canna jungle

[IMO]

You can make your own compost or a company called Dr Organics makes bagged living soil that doesn’t use peat moss they use coco, I’m sure if need be Greenhand organic can substitute the peat moss for something else. A company in America makes a product called pit moss which is apparently shredded paper inoculated with fungus iirc, there will be lots of solutions I’m sure.

[seymore_budz]

B&Q sell many peat free composts. You could always make your own if you have space.

I've heard mixed reviews on these types of substrates. Not saying they couldn't replace peat but would you get the same results?

Yeah as most use coco peat I dont think its gonna have a massive effect

translated from the bongo of the canna jungle

You mean growers or manufacturers? If the later then thats not quite true. Some examples are

Plant magic soil supreme = sphagnum peat
Plagron = Mostly sphagnum peat
Canna Terra = sphagnum peat
House and garden bat mix = mixture of different peat
Gold Label = Swedish white peat (fancy)

Coco peat has unique properties that will have to be catered for.

You can make your own compost or a company called Dr Organics makes bagged living soil that doesn’t use peat moss they use coco, I’m sure if need be Greenhand organic can substitute the peat moss for something else. A company in America makes a product called pit moss which is apparently shredded paper inoculated with fungus iirc, there will be lots of solutions I’m sure.

Sounds interesting! I read about substituting peat with shredded wood but from what I could make out it isn't quite as good as peat? It will be interesting to see how people get on with alternatives once we can't buy it anymore.

[GMO]

Leaf mold is another option for a peat replacement

I cant comment on grower focused soils as I've never used them

Every potting mix ive used was peat free except the greenhand organic terraperma

[seymore_budz]

Leaf mold is another option for a peat replacement

I cant comment on grower focused soils as I've never used them

Every potting mix ive used was peat free except the greenhand organic terraperma

I think you're on the money there mate. Most of the larger horticultural manufacturers have made the switch over to peat alternatives but I don't see any change within the grower focused market. Maybe due to a lot of it being imported and only being banned in the UK? I would have thought companies like Nutriculture would be offering alternatives by now.

Reading miracle grows description of their GP soil sounds like they're using leaf mold or something similar.

[seymore_budz]

Leaf mold is another option for a peat replacement

It's illegal to take it from the woods and forests, so be careful if you're going down that path.

[IMO]

I was gonna do it last autumn but didn’t get round to it, there are some posh roads near to me with lots of trees and not much foot traffic, I was intending to fill bin bags up with leaves to take home and dry out, they are free and anyone local would thank you as when they get wet they get slippy, I’m definitely going to do it this autumn.

[seymore_budz]

Wouldn't you guys be worried that you'd be introducing pollutants into your garden? Taking it from the woods would mean it could be contaminated with anything like animal feces and urine, pests and other nasties. Also, taking it from a road it will have oil from cars etc mulched in.