But as awareness of the full and potentially devastating effect of human activity on our planet grows, and the spectre of climate catastrophe looms, some of our other gardening habits are rightfully coming under scrutiny. And this month, when sowing, pricking out and potting on reaches its peak, the Peat Free April campaign is calling on gardeners to stop using peat in composts and switch to alternatives instead.
The facts and figures are compelling. According to the campaign, 30% of land-based carbon deposits are in peat bogs. And, according to Plantlife, not only is the UK amateur gardening market responsible for using nearly 70% of the peat that is extracted from our bogs, but because the sphagnum moss grows so slowly, commercial extraction can remove up to 500 years’ worth of growth annually.
Denne historien er fra April 2020-utgaven av Berkshire Life.
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Denne historien er fra April 2020-utgaven av Berkshire Life.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
A Home For Keeps - Reader At Home
Alex and James Fielden were looking for a forever home. Their search ended as soon as they pulled up outside this Georgian property in Berkshire
Duke & Duchess Of Berkshire?
They are the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge but should they really be the Duke and Duchess of Berkshire, which is, of course, a Royal county?
A national hero
He started out like many other children born in Reading, but mention Justin Fletcher to any kid in the land these days and their eyes will light up
Fruitful thinking
Ryan Simpson believes the world is our orchard. A project that began over a pint in his local is making the county more fruity
THE BERKSHIRE BOMBSHELL
Berkshire has had more than its fair share of famous inhabitants. However, few had such an explosive reputation as Diana Dors
“I'll always be a Berkshire girl”
Despite her international acclaim as the star of TV’s Tracy Beaker, Dani Harmer has never strayed far from her roots
Remembering the fallen
The most destructive war in human history lasted for six years and cost 60 million lives, the majority non-combatants. It is easy to understand why those who had survived wanted to celebrate the end of that conflict
HIDDEN WONDERS
Berkshire photographer Matt Emmett has made it his mission to explore the forgotten architecture and heritage many people miss in their home towns
EXPLORING BERKSHIRE - Majestic Maidenhead
Rejuvenation and revival; two buzz words surrounding the biggest town in the Royal borough. With riverside views and a vibrant arts and dining out scene, this high-class town is well worth a look
A good grounding
Berkshire has some of the best homes in the land, so perhaps it is no coincidence that the nation’s favourite property guru went to school in Wokingham