THIS is the last year that amateur gardeners will be able to buy compost containing peat in England. Sometime between now and the end of 2024 it will become illegal to sell peat-based growing media in garden centres in England – although, of course, there’s nothing stopping anyone from popping to Wales and Scotland to stock up.
At AG we’re caught between the devil and the deep blue sea because we want to help our readers get the best results, but can’t with a clear conscience recommend any single peat-free compost.
This is because we have found – as have many of you – that most of them have inconsistent results. Discrepancies have even been found between bags of the same brand.
Indeed Nick Hamilton of Barnsdale gardens, the son of Gardeners’ World presenter Geoff Hamilton, says that some peat-free composts are so useless they may as well be used as soil improvers rather than actual compost!
Readers have told us they have failed with peat-free compost because it behaves very differently to compost containing peat, and its packaging doesn’t have clear instructions for use.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
To dig or not to dig?
Should we be carrying out a full dig on plots now? Bob considers the pros and cons of the 'autumn dig' debate
The box ball blues
As if his beleaguered box hadn't already taken a beating, Toby now has to deal with some hungry box caterpillars
Save your own seeds
Masterclass on: seed saving
Strange sightings
Three unusual insects turn up in Val's garden in one day
A bolt from the blue!
Cornflowers are perfect for garden and vase
Winter moth prevention
Ruth shows you how to avoid maggoty tree fruits
Create a winter container
There are as many options as in summer
Lightweight gardening tools
AS well as being good for our mental health, gardening is also great exercise.
Autumn price round-up
AG finds better bargains in lesser-known brands
Rudbeckias
Rudbeckias are ideal for sunny summer patios and borders, with some able to survive our coldest winters