Why shouldn’t we use it?
- Peat is finite. While in theory more can be made by decaying plants this is a very long process – It takes about a year to create just 1mm of peat. Once peat is extracted from a bog it cannot be replaced.
- Peat is the largest and most efficient land-based store of carbon, one of the planet’s damaging greenhouse gases. Peat bogs store on average 10 times more carbon per hectare than any other eco-system, including forests.
- Peatlands regulate water supplies and also act as water filters.
- Peatlands are very important habitats and unique in the range of plants and animal they support.
- Continued use of peat as a growing media reduces to incentives to find environmentally sustainable growing media.
What is peat?
Peat is a type of soil made up of waterlogged, partially-decomposed plant material which has built up over nearly 10,000 years in wetland habitats.
For more information on peat and Irish bogs please visit the Irish Peatland Conservation Council.
What are the alternatives?
- If you were using peat as mulch then you could consider using leaf mould, comfrey, seaweed or lawn clippings/bracken as an alternative.
- Make your own compost – Gardeners can mix well-rotted, home-made compost, leafmould and inorganic materials (vermiculite or perlite) to make their own peat-free growing media.
- Use locally sourced ‘green waste’.
- Chose peat free or peat reduced composts.
Klasmann Peat Free Seed Compost
Seed compost has a small particle size for seeding and has the right nutrient balance for germinating seeds and very young plants. Klasmann peat free substrate is the best compost for microgreens and wheatgrass. Large 70L bags
- 80% Coir (coconut fibre). 20% High Quality Compost from green waste.
- Specially added predative mites support the biological suppression of sciarid fly.
- Klasmann peat free composts are tested for human pathogens and each batch comes with an analysis cert.
Klasmann Peat Free Potting Compost
Potting compost has a bigger particle size than seed compost and is most suitable for potting on plants. Nutrients are released in a stable and balanced manner.
- 55% Organic coir (coconut pith). 20% High Quality Compost from green waste. 25% Composted Wood Fibre.
- Specially added predative mites support the biological suppression of sciarid fly.
- Klasmann peat free composts are tested for human pathogens and each batch comes with an analysis cert.
What is in Klansman’s peat free composts?
TerrAktiv or Green Compost
Klasmann operates its own composting facilities at which residual green waste is recycled and processed into compost suitable for substrates. During the rotting process, this green waste is enriched by biodynamic preparations which ensure that micro-organism activity is stimulated. Specially added predative mites support the biological suppression of Sciarid fly.
Green Fibre
GreenFibre is a high-quality processed wood fibre. This special wood fibre is produced in Klasmann’s own plants in Germany. GreenFibre promotes rapid, healthy root development, increases the air capacity and ensures long-term structural stability of the substrate. It also optimises drainage, improves re-wetting, and reduces the risk of algae during the cultivation period as the surface of the substrate dries off quicker.
Coir Pith
Coir Pith is the layer of corky material between the fibre and the shells of coconuts. It has been recognised as a very suitable growing medium with excellent air porosity and as good a water retention capacity as peat. Coco coir reduces the occurrence of diseases, lowers maintenance requirements, increases water retention and oxygenates roots.
Thank you Fruithill Farm for so much information.