Why Peat Free Compost

[@cowboyblacksmith]

I never understood peat in compost to begin with. I make all my own compost with grass leaves weeds biochar seaweed and coffee grounds-not even animal manure and essentially whatever I can use. It’d cost a fortune add peat. I'm in the US so peat isn't a resource here but honestly, there are so many leaves full of minerals I can't fathom adding peat and my compost comes out super well.

[@cindiwhite5726]

I love your videos. Thank you for this information about peat. I didnt know.

[@TheEnduringGardener]

Thank you Cindi, even if one person goes peat free as a consequence then it has been worthwhile 😊😊😊

[@ginfonte3386]

Thanks, Dan, for turning me on to Stephanie's blog and Instagram pages. Baaa,. Baaaa. 😄

[@TomBray-LowCarbonLifestyle]

This is a fantastic video - love the points about Peat, so important. Why hasn't it been banned?! I have just been scripting for a similar video on my channel. Thanks for the tips

[@TheEnduringGardener]

Thanks Tom, it’s just a matter of time before an outright ban. Hopefully sooner rather than later ! Good luck with your video 👍🏼

[@MuddyBootz]

Hi Dan, I have just filmed a little review of the Dalesfoot compost, ready for my next upload. Nice to see you making used of the Vitopod.....are you tempted with a lighting kit 😉. Off to check out the blog. All the best 🌻 Nigel .......MuddyBootz Allotment 🌻

[@TheEnduringGardener]

Look forward to seeing that Nigel, it’s great to have a peat free compost that finally works. The propagator is working a treat and there’s plenty of seeds on the rise already. No plans for a light kit 👋

[@inthrutheoutdoor5849]

Should we be worried about how Scotch is made? They use a lot of peat in the distilling process..

[@dreamer_4937]

I didn’t know that. If there are no alternatives, perhaps it can be an exception if it is minimal. Using only bogs that have already been drained and damaged, for instance, and restoring all the others, which might be sustainable?

[@andreajones7023]

i cant go near dalefoot as it makes me sneeze due to the wool. had to use peat this spring after lockdown ended and it was total rubbish...didnt take up or hold water and got damping off for the first time in a decade...probably since the last time i used peat. nasty stuff.

[@TheEnduringGardener]

Thanks for commenting Andrea. Another peat free compost to try is Bathgate champions blend if you can hold of it. 👍🏼

[@nitelite78]

I get why digging out peat and burning is bad in terms of greenhouse gases but I don't get why using it as compost is bad. If you are going to grow things in it then the stuff that grows from it is also a carbon sink. And then the things we grow usually end up being cycled into new plants and then homemade compost. It may be that the decomposition of the peat or some other process that doesn't happen below the ground means carbon is released in to the atmosphere or something but if so what are the numbers in comparison to if it is left in the ground? People who talk about peat being bad don't tend to discuss this issue and that makes me sceptical about it being bad to use. It's possible that people are transferring the negative reasons for burning peat on to using it as compost which would not be a fair argument.

[@TheEnduringGardener]

Digging up the peat releases the carbon and destroys a habitat capable of storing carbon. A bit like cutting down a rainforest to make furniture say. Thanks for taking the time to write such an in depth comment, valuable questions 👍🏼

[@nitelite78]

@@TheEnduringGardener How does it release the carbon though? The carbon is still stored in the compost and you are then using the carbon as a growing medium to grow things that will take carbon out of the air which will eventually also be composted (thus the co2 from the air is now stored in new compost). The peat is bad argument is still unconvincing to me. Another thing I don't know is if the plants we grow use up the carbon in the soil or if the plant gets its carbon 100% from the air or a mix of both. My hunch is it's the latter because if you grow something in a pot for years you end up just with a massive root ball and virtually no compost - so where has the carbon in the compost gone if not into the plant? But then you also get hydroponic growers you don't even use compost but still get excellent plant growth. I will have to do some research.

[@andreabrew7438]

Good on you for attempting to convert gardeners to PEAT FREE compost! Very nice video and a nice touch at the end with the quote...from Monty Don. I cannot implore gardeners enough to consider FIRST this beautiful world we live in that gives YOU such wonders in your garden, and that it is OUR RESPONSIBILITY to conserve and preserve as much as is in our power, all the ecosystems on this planet. How can you still use compost containing peat after seeing this video and reading the quotes?

[@TheEnduringGardener]

Too right Andrea, and thank you for taking the time out of your day with such a POSITIVE response.

[@aaron6841]

If you don't wanna grow anything very well use peat free lol 😂

[@Deedee1987dee]

Peat is sustainable and your figures are way off, but as long as you feel better about yourself mate

[@TheEnduringGardener]

Thanks for commenting Mika, it’s good to hear from someone with a different point of view. Please can you elaborate on which figures are way off ?