Are peat free composts finally getting better?

FOR THE first time, it seems, peat-free composts are beginning to out-perform their peat-containing rivals. This is according to new research from the gardening arm of the Consumers’ Association. ‘Rigorous tests’ have been conducted by researchers for Which? Gardening, and Best Buy awards have been given to three peat-free brands of compost: Vital Earth Tub and Basket Compost, Vital Earth Multi-Purpose Compost, and New Horizon Multi-Purpose Compost.

In previous trials, peat-free products failed to match the quality of traditional peat-containing composts. But in a turn of fortunes, no peat-based compost met any of the Best Buy standards in the latest trial. A spokesman for Which? Gardening said: “For too long peat-free composts just haven’t lived up to the standards required by gardeners. The results of these trials show that it is possible to find compost that is great for your plants, but good news for the environment too.”

Government targets.

The results come at an important time, as Government targets require that by the end of this year 90 per cent of growing materials and soil conditioners should be peat-free. The UK’s two biggest compost suppliers, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company and Westland Horticulture, are on record as saying that although peat levels in compost have been dramatically reduced, they will fall far short of what the Government demands.

In the recent trial one compost was slapped with a ‘Don’t Buy’ tag: Miracle-Gro Moisture Control Compost received the lowest score overall, showing signs of nutrient deficiency within the first few weeks.