PEAT FREE COMPOST
Here at Six Acre Nurseries, we have taken huge steps to go fully peat free as soon as possible. We have completely stopped purchasing peat-based compost and only now use peat free compost in our own nursery custom mixes and propagation substrates. This means all of our planting, potting and seed sowing only goes into 100% peat free compost. It also means you will see less and less peat based options to purchase as our old stock depletes.
Why have we taken these steps?
Please read the guide below for more information. We’ve been testing various peat free options for a while now with superb results so please feel free to contact us or come and have a chat about going peat free as well!
What is peat?
When plants that grow in swampy areas die, they do not decompose properly. Instead they turn into a partially rotted organic material; a material know as peat. Peat is a limited resource within our natural environment that is made up of decaying organic matter. Many of the peat bogs we see today formed over 12,000 years ago and can take hundreds of years to regenerate.
Why are peat bogs important?
Peat bogs store vast amounts of carbon, which must be kept in the ground to avoid contributing to climate change. They also provide a unique habitat for a wealth of plants, animals and insects, as well as providing a feeding and stopping-off point for native and migrating birds. They are essential for maintaining biodiversity across the world and within the UK.
Why should we choose peat free compost?
Peat free compost – as the name suggests – contains no peat whatsoever. By choosing peat free compost, you are decreasing the demand for peat and therefore having a huge positive impact on the wider natural environment.
Is peat free compost better or worse than peat-based compost?
The quality of peat free compost has improved drastically over that past few years. The main thing to look for when choosing any compost – including peat-based compost – is how well decayed the organic matter is. The more decayed the organic matter, the more easily the nutrients held within can be accessed by the plants. Also, generally, the better the moisture retention but effective drainage. The main advantage of peat-based compost used to be the fact the peat content contributed to the quality of the decaying organic matter – thus providing both nutrients and water-retaining/effective draining properties. However, nowadays a high quality peat free compost with plenty of well decayed organic matter works just as well. In fact, some studies have indicated it is easier to rehydrate a peat free compost as less ‘contraction’ of the compost occurs when drying out.
What does peat free compost contain?
Most peat-free composts contain wood-based materials as their primary ingredient. This may be woodfibre, composted bark, sawdust, wood or paper waste. Wood-based mixes can be tailored to the requirements of most plants as they have excellent drainage properties as well as a relatively low pH. (The pH value describes how acid or alkaline soil is, and is expressed as a number between 0 and 14. Soil with a pH of 7 is neutral, an acid soil has a lower value, and an alkaline soil has a higher one. Most plants grow best in soil that’s within a specific pH range, so it’s useful to know your soil’s pH. Testing kits are easy to use and available at Six Acre Nurseries).
Many peat-free composts may also contain Coconut fibre or ‘coir’. It is mainly imported from Sri Lanka. Coir is a waste product. It has excellent natural water-holding ability and a sufficient mix of fine and coarse fibres to hold air in its pore spaces, making it a good growing medium. It does not hold nutrients well, however, so is used in conjunction with other materials. The environmental credentials of coir-based products are questioned due to the distance they must be transported to the UK, but this is balanced out by the fact that it is a genuine waste material.
Other ingredients often include sterilised loam and sand. Loam is a mixture of sand, silt and a smaller amount of clay. It is excellent at holding moisture, but also drains well so that sufficient air can reach the roots.
We have a huge range of peat free options to suit any need. Please check the details below for more specific information, or feel free to discuss your requirements with our horticulturalists. We’re always happy to help.
Sylvagrow Multipurpose Peat Free Compost – 15L
£4.50
General potting compost for all around the garden.
A unique blend of fine bark, woodfibre (by-products of sustainably managed British forests) and coir (from known, ethically-approved sources). It contains balanced nutrients sufficient for the first 4 – 6 weeks of growth. This growing medium is based on one widely used throughout the UK by professional growers and is suitable for a wide range of uses around the garden. Melcourt SylvaGrow Multi-purpose contains no peat or green waste compost.
- Superb quality, 100% peat-free compost as used by professionals
- Suitable for a wide range of garden applications including potting-on, planting out and as a growing bag
- RHS endorsed
- Audited by the Responsible Sourcing Scheme
- Suitable for vegans
Sylvagrow Multipurpose Peat Free Compost – 40L
£7.99
General potting compost for all around the garden.
A unique blend of fine bark, woodfibre (by-products of sustainably managed British forests) and coir (from known, ethically-approved sources). It contains balanced nutrients sufficient for the first 4 – 6 weeks of growth. This growing medium is based on one widely used throughout the UK by professional growers and is suitable for a wide range of uses around the garden. Melcourt SylvaGrow Multi-purpose contains no peat or green waste compost.
- Superb quality, 100% peat-free compost as used by professionals
- Suitable for a wide range of garden applications including potting-on, planting out and as a growing bag
- RHS endorsed
- Audited by the Responsible Sourcing Scheme
- Suitable for vegans
Sylvagrow Multipurpose Compost with Added John Innes – 40L
£8.99
Very high quality general potting compost for a wide range of uses.
- A unique blend of fine bark, woodfibre (by-products of sustainably managed British forests) and coir (from known, ethically-approved sources) plus sterilized loam and sand
- Contains balanced nutrients sufficient for the first 4 – 6 weeks of growth.
- This growing medium is based on one widely used throughout the UK by professional growers and is suitable for a wide range of uses around the garden
- Contains no peat or green waste compost
- Superb quality, 100% peat-free compost as used by professionals
- With added sterilised loam and silver sand
- Suitable for a wide range of garden applications including potting-on, planting out and as a growing bag
- RHS Endorsed
- Audited by the Responsible Sourcing Scheme
- Suitable for vegans
Sylvagrow Rose, Tree, Shrub Peat Free Compost – 40L
£6.99
General potting compost for larger shrubs, trees and roses.
SylvaGrow® Rose, Tree and Shrub is a rich, friable, carefully formulated planting compost for effective establishment in garden soils. 100% peat-free and containing balanced slow-release nutrients, it is based on a Melcourt compost widely used throughout the UK by professional landscapers and is suitable for a wide range of planting applications around the garden.
- Made from natural, British sustainable materials, bark and green compost
- Free flowing, easy to handle
- Easy to mix and incorporate, using simple tools
- Improves the soil quality, when planting bare root, root balled and container-grown roses, trees and shrubs
- Proven to be successful and effective in use
- Provides long term slow release of nutrients
- Adds valuable organic matter thus aiding nutrient retention and water-holding capacity
- Audited by the Responsible Sourcing Scheme
- Suitable for use by vegans
- RHS endorsed
Sylvagrow Peat Free Organic Grow Bag – 45L
£7.99
General planter ideal for vegetable growing.
The SylvaGrow Peat-Free Planter for Organic Growing contains a unique blend of fine bark (a by-product of sustainably managed British forests), coir (from known, ethically-approved sources), green compost (a carefully-sourced, certified ingredient) and balanced organic nutrients sufficient for the first 3 – 4 weeks of growth.
It is based on a formula used by professional organic growers throughout the UK and is RHS endorsed and Soil Association approved.
- The SylvaGrow Peat-Free Planter for Organic Growing contains a unique blend of fine bark (a by-product of sustainably managed British forests), coir (from a single, known source), green compost (a carefully-sourced, certified ingredient) and balanced organic nutrients sufficient for the first 3 – 4 weeks of growth.
- RHS endorsed
- A NOTE ABOUT ORGANICS
- If you wish to maintain the organic integrity of this product then you should only use fertilizers labelled as organic and preferably those approved by the Soil Association.
- However, non-organic fertilizers will also function very well. In both cases read the manufacturers’ advice carefully.
Sylvagrow John Innes No.1 Peat Free Compost – 15L
£4.99
General potting compost for young plants.
Ideal for pricking out seedlings, potting up young plants, rooted cuttings and short term vegetable transplants. Friable and free-flowing texture.
- A unique blend of fine bark and woodfibre(by-products of sustainably managed British forests) with sterilized loam and fine grit.
Contains balanced nutrients sufficient for the first 3–5 weeks of growth.
RHS endorsed
Suitable for a wide range of uses around the garden, particularly seed sowing and the potting of young plants and vegetable transplants.
Contains no peat or green waste compost.
Approved by the John Innes Manufacturers’ Association
Sylvagrow John Innes No.2 Peat Free Compost – 15L
£4.99
General compost for potting on established plants.
Ideal for potting-on established plants, houseplants and for vegetable plants in containers. Friable and free-flowing texture.
- A unique blend of fine bark and wood fibre (by-products of sustainably managed British forests) with sterilized loam and fine grit.
- Contains balanced nutrients sufficient for the first 3–5 weeks of growth.
- RHS endorsed
- Ideal for potting on established plants, houseplants and for vegetable plants in containers.
- Contains no peat or green waste compost
- Approved by the John Innes Manufacturers’ Association
- Available in 15 litre bags
Sylvagrow John Innes No.3 Peat Free Compost – 15L
£4.99
General potting compost for larger more established plants.
Ideal for potting established plants, trees, shrubs, climbers, fruit bushes, vines and plants which are to remain in the pot for a long time. Friable and free-flowing texture.
- A unique blend of fine bark and woodfibre(by-products of sustainably managed British forests) with sterilized loam and fine grit.
Contains balanced nutrients sufficient for the first 3–5 weeks of growth.
RHS endorsed
Suitable for a wide range of uses around the garden, particularly seed sowing and the potting of young plants and vegetable transplants.
Contains no peat or green waste compost.
Approved by the John Innes Manufacturers’ Association
Sylvagrow Ericaceous Peat Free Compost – 40L
£8.99
General potting compost for acid-loving plants.
A unique blend of fine bark (a by-product of sustainably managed British forests) and coir (from known, ethically-approved sources). SylvaGrow Ericaceous contains balanced nutrients sufficient for the first 4 – 6 weeks of growth. This professional-quality, 100% peat-free ericaceous compost is ideal for growing blueberries, rhododendrons, azaleas, heathers, camellias and other lime-hating plants in tubs and containers and for planting out.
Bulrush Multipurpose Peat Free Compost with Added John Innes – 40L
£5.99
General potting compost for shrubs, perennials and bedding plants.
Made from a blend of sustainable ingredients including Forest Gold, Coir and Clay combined with essential plant nutrients and trace elements designed to provide an ideal medium for healthy plants growth. The added John Innes provides a superb nutrient mix for healthy growth.
A proven performer for use all around the garden.
Petersfield Multipurpose Peat Free Compost – 60L
£9.99
General potting compost for shrubs, perennials and bedding plants.
A blend of the best available peat alternatives. In development for many years. Petersfield are at the forefront of peat free compost technology.
Petersfield Multipurpose Peat Free Supreme Compost – 40L
£9.99
General potting and seed sowing. Close texture, excellent water retention.
An absolutely superb peat free compost for seed sowing and potting. Used as our own seed sowing substrate at Six Acre Nurseries (when mixed with horticultural sand. This is one of the highest quality peat free composts we have used.
Bulrush Multipurpose Peat Free Moisture Retaining Compost – 40L
£5.99
General potting compost for shrubs, perennials and bedding plants. Contains moisture retaining gel.
Contains a special water retaining agent, Aquasorb, which absorbs and retains large amounts of water and nutrients. Aquasorb releases the absorbed water and nutrients as and when the plant demands.
Use this compost with hanging baskets, containers, tubs and window boxes.
Bulrush Ericaceous Peat Free Compost – 40L
£5.99
Ideal for acid-loving plants including Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Camellias, Acer Palmatums.
This compost is specially formulated to provide the correct pH balance for acid-loving plants such as Rhododendrons, Azaleas and Camellias.
Petersfield Peat Free Organic Soil Improver – 40L
£5.99
Excellent for improving both light soil and clay soil. Nutrient and humus rich.
A naturally peat free and organic product from composted plant material. Improves soil by adding humus and enriching with nutrients. Improves moisture retention in lighter soils and structure and drainage in heavier soils. A wonderful product used by our staff and many professional landscapers for mulching.
Bulrush Farmyard Manure – 50L
£5.99 (£5.50 when buying 3 or more)
Excellent for improving both light soil and clay soil. Nutrient and humus rich.
Provides a natural source of organic matter to encourage healthy plant growth. Dig into the soil to improve the quality of poor soils, such as heavy clay and light sandy soils.
Bulrush Sterilised Top Soil – 25L
£4.50 (£3.99 when buying 3 or more)
Excellent for improving both light soil, clay soil, making compost and levelling lawns.
Bulrush sterilised top soil is carefully selected and graded that is lime free and weed free.
Also perfect for creating new beds and borders and replacing old soil.