OK, I accept there are problems with the consistency of some peat-free composts at the moment - but isn't it just defeatist to say you're giving up? There are plenty of people on this forum who've never used peat-based compost, and get consistently good results using peat free.
Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
All compost has been bad this year, from seed , through peat, to peat free. There are many on here that have said this. I hope that the companies make a better job of it next year, as it has put off some new growers. They thought they had done something wrong, when actually it was the poor compost they were using, and the weather.
The technical truth, as we know, is that how we behave (for example; not encouraging peat extraction in our purchasing) has a direct impact on the extent and speed of climate breakdown.
We do have power and choice, and it does make an impact.
The story of how we stopped the hole in the ozone layer is an inspiring example of this success.
The technical truth, as we know, is that how we behave (for example; not encouraging peat extraction in our purchasing) has a direct impact on the extent and speed of climate breakdown.
We do have power and choice, and it does make an impact.
The story of how we stopped the hole in the ozone layer is an inspiring example of this success.
Not purchasing peat based compost has almost no noticeable impact on peat extraction from source. For better or worse the amount of people who buy compost with environmental considerations at the top of the list are far fewer than you'd imagine. It seems like more because they shout loudest on TV or social media. A large section of commercial horticulture still uses peat based compost or if they don't, are either (in many cases) subsidized by the manufacturer to use a certain product or add many other ingredients to make it workable including inorganic fertilizer. Which rather defeats the purpose...but they're not about to lose money of their business based on principles. I wouldn't. Peat extraction will cease when the government of the day bans it but that will have an impact on peoples livelihoods - many of which don't have the luxury of choice.
Bojo the Clown and his poxy government don't give a toss about climate control.
They scrapped feed in tarrifs for solar panel, effectively pulling the rug out from under that market. They only introduced them after a court instructed them to do so.
They could offer interest free loans for PV panels which could be paid back from the electricity supplied back to the grid until the costs were covered.
All this talk about electric cars means nothing if you live in a block of flats .
As usual with Bojo the Clown, it's all just waffle to please the crowds of idiots who think he's doing a good job
It's true that most people buy compost based on price. If the real cost of peat based compost was factored in the price difference would be reversed. If we had all stopped buying peat based compost 10 years ago the mfcrs would have been forced to make much better peat free by now. The buying power of consumers is real and will make a difference. The RHS are completely peat free and Botanical Gardens like Kew are peat free except for some very special and rare plants. If they can do it so can we.
Having not bought compost in ages because of the uncertainty around quality for the brands I can easily get hold of, I was actually wondering about that Wickes stuff as the reviews seem relatively favourable and it's more accessible than say Sylvagrow or Dalefoot (where my options are basically Amazon for 3-4 times the price or a smaller place with a big delivery charge.)
The easiest to get hold of in my area seems to be New Horizon but reading about it sounds very inconsistent, with some people saying it's great and others saying it absolutely stinks, is a stringy, twiggy mess or infested with stuff. I would normally think maybe it was just a bad batch but the odd mix of positive and negative comments (that are very consistent in the nature of the problem) are across several sites so it makes me wonder if I really want to try it or not.
Posts
There are many on here that have said this.
I hope that the companies make a better job of it next year, as it has put off some new growers. They thought they had done something wrong, when actually it was the poor compost they were using, and the weather.
Peat extraction will cease when the government of the day bans it but that will have an impact on peoples livelihoods - many of which don't have the luxury of choice.
They scrapped feed in tarrifs for solar panel, effectively pulling the rug out from under that market. They only introduced them after a court instructed them to do so.
They could offer interest free loans for PV panels which could be paid back from the electricity supplied back to the grid until the costs were covered.
All this talk about electric cars means nothing if you live in a block of flats .
As usual with Bojo the Clown, it's all just waffle to please the crowds of idiots who think he's doing a good job
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
https://www.jackwallington.com/peat-free-compost-trials-2021/
The easiest to get hold of in my area seems to be New Horizon but reading about it sounds very inconsistent, with some people saying it's great and others saying it absolutely stinks, is a stringy, twiggy mess or infested with stuff. I would normally think maybe it was just a bad batch but the odd mix of positive and negative comments (that are very consistent in the nature of the problem) are across several sites so it makes me wonder if I really want to try it or not.