Environmentalists have been calling for a ban on peat sales in the UK for years. They cite peat’s high carbon emissions and the ecological importance of the peatlands from which it comes.
This may soon be possible, as the UK government announced it in December Plans to ban the sale of peat to gardeners in 2024. Some campaigners argue that this is not happening soon enough, while others warn against the difficulty of rapidly scaling up sustainable alternatives to peat.
What is peat? And why is it used in gardening?
Peat is a type soil made from decaying plant material. It forms in peatlands, which is a habitat of waterlogged plants. Peatlands can take thousands of years to develop, as peat grows at an average rate of just 1% per year. One centimetre every 10 Years.
It is becoming increasingly rare to find it in peat bogs. It’s effectively a nonrenewable resource.
Peatlands provide essential ecosystem services, including reducing flood risk and providing drinking water. They also support rare wildlife. They also store a lot o carbon. Peatlands make up around 3 percent of the earth’s surface and hold twice the amount of soil carbon as all other forests. This carbon is released to the atmosphere when peatlands become dry or when peat is harvested for horticulture.
Morse states that if we don’t take care of the peatland habitats around the globe, we will struggle against runaway climate changes.
Gardeners have long prized peat’s ability to retain water and nutrients, making it a valuable growing medium. Although its use in horticulture is declining, Nearly a third of all the UK compost sold in 2021 was still peatAccording to the Horticultural Association, it is.
Why is peat compost being banned
The government published a consultation in December 2021 proposing that peat be banned from being sold to gardeners in England or Wales by 2024. It stated that by ending peat retail sales in horticulture, we will protect our fragile peatlands and help to prevent climate change.
According to Peatlands, the UK’s largest carbon storage facility, Prof Alistair GriffithsDirector of science at Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), He adds that the government will be able to implement its net zero strategy through the proposed ban.
The UK government has set several goals to end the use of peat in the past. It established a voluntary target in 2011 for compost retailers to cease peat sales by 2020. This target was not met. Morse says that another voluntary target to end professional cultivation of fruit, vegetables, or plants by 2030 is also not in place.
Morse believes that voluntary targets are not strong enough to steer the industry. To find suitable replacements for peat, there is a need for R&D investment. A proper government-sanctioned end to sales is needed to drive that investment.
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How can I ensure that I buy compost that isn’t peaty?
There are many different types of peat-free soils that aim to mimic the properties and support healthy plants. Some are made from natural organic materials like bark, wood chips or wool, but others can be made from organic waste such as household garden waste.
Griffiths points out that peat-free alternatives weren’t of high quality when first introduced several years ago. This belief seems not to have been lost on many gardeners. However, research has significantly improved the quality and some of these peat-free alternatives can provide better results that peat.
Morse said that it isn’t always obvious whether compost contains peat. There are many composites that contain peat. They will say ‘natural material’ and ‘organic’. This is what peat is, she states. To be certain that it is peat-free, you must make sure that it says so.
Griffiths suggests asking your retailer if you are using the correct peat-free compost. Use barks or other mulches when mulching your garden beds. He suggests that you compost at home and make your own compost for your beds. He says that simply asking your retailer for options without peat can help show consumer demand.
What impact will switching to peatless compost have?
For this reason, peatlands that have been damaged are responsible Almost 5 percent of the human-made CO is organic2Emissions. Griffiths says that switching to peat-free and avoiding peat has the potential of significantly reducing emissions. He also believes that restoration of peatlands can help to draw down more carbon. The UK can set an example for the rest of the globe by switching to peatless compost, he says.
Wildlife Trusts claims that waiting until 2024 would be too long. They are calling for an immediate ban on peat-based soil compost. It has calculated the time it takes to wait. An additional 1.5 million tonnes of CO could be produced in the next two years.2This is equivalent to 214,000 UK residents’ annual carbon emissions.
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