Peat free trials - a Spring update

Plenty of you will already be familiar with our innovative research project, seeking to eradicate peat compost from our growing. We've worked hard to reduce our peat use, and we’ve eliminated it for most of our veg. But our biggest challenge lies in salad seedlings. These are grown in small compost blocks, and then machine-planted directly into the fields. The blocks need to be robust enough to hold together as millions of seedlings are planted, without exposing their delicate roots. Not much sticks like peat, or provides the same level of nutrition for the seedlings.
We’re determined to find an alternative, though. That’s why we’ve been working as part of a major project with Innovate UK, Delfland Nurseries, Cambridge Eco Ltd, and Coventry University. Together, we’re trying to create a completely peat-free block, which sticks together and provides a comparable level of nutrition.
Once we’ve unlocked the formula for peat-free blocks, we won’t be keeping this information to ourselves; we’ll be sharing our findings. The goal is not just for Riverford to be peat free, but to allow the entire horticultural industry to leave peat where it’s best left - and grow more sustainably without it.
We’ll keep you updated as our experiments continue…

[@thelifeofjools8384]

Well done Riverford.... Good luck 🤞

[@denise8561]

In the 18th century, Irish farmers accomplished extremely fertile soil (where there was none) by mixing seaweed with limestone and volcanic grit. The whole methodology derived straight from the early Celtic system - taken from Philip S. Callahan, Nature’s Silent Music. A very interesting read.