A ROUND 20 years ago, the first peat-free composts hit the market. As a new AG staffer, I was excited to try them, but optimism quickly turned to despair as plants struggled to perform.
Fast forward to today and compost manufacturers have invested millions into developing a new generation of peat-frees, yet some still have their shortcomings – a big concern ahead of the government’s peat ban next year.
AG’s Ruth has been trialling two premium brands – SylvaGrow and Dalefoot – but I’d seen positive comments about Miracle-Gro peat-free on social media, so I decided to test it alongside Erin’s tried-and-tested peat reduced compost.
Miracle-Gro is also placing large signs in garden centres to inform customers that peat-free mixes look and behave differently to peat. This should be applauded, because gardeners need better advice growing with peat-free.
How much for a bag?
To test Miracle-Gro peat-free compost, I have grown ‘Sungold’ cherry tomatoes under glass. They demand a steady supply of water and nutrients and are intolerant of dry, nutrient-starved growing media.
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