For many years we have wanted to move Peat Free and as back as far as 20 years ago we trialled various mixes. However we found most bark based mixes didn’t work well with the sandbeds which are the backbone of our watering system. This system enables us to use drastically less water than overhead watering, both environmentally better and a saver of our sanity. We’ve tried Coir ( and never saw the wisdom of hauling it half way around the planet ) and composted green waste which cooked a whole crop of Dawn’s Cardiocrinums because it was under composted (she was not happy ! ).
Last year, however, we came upon a mix that suited us well and since the beginning of the 2024 season we have ceased to buy any peat. As a propagating nursery, much of our stock goes round and round in circles as it is split year on year. As such there could be a peat element in any pot for years to come and we may never be truly ‘peat free’. What we won’t be doing is adding any more peat in future years. We do also buy in a small amount of liners and plugs each season and we’ll take a pragmatic approach to this also, buying peat free if we can, but accepting peat if we can’t.
I hope this clarifies our position.
Martin 2025
