I was a bit puzzled by that comment too @markrosssmithXZAbLwpt. Apart from differences in nutritional content and organic properties, any compost, whether it's commercially produced MPC with our without peat, or homemade compost, used as a mulch of at least 2 inches on the soil surface will help to keep weeds away, retain moisture in the soil, protect plant roots from temperature extremes and improve the look of your borders. I can't see why you would avoid using peat free compost as a mulch if you have no alternative at hand, or found a bargain bulk buy like you did!
Out of interest, I just did a search on the new style Bing search engine which my computer now defaults to (I'm not sure that I like it!) and got this reply to my question about whether peat free compost improves soil structure:
Yes, and I've used expired peat free compost from planters as a mulch too, and it's been effective at keeping weeds down, and moisture in. No doubt there are better ways too.
This is why I think the context of the GW episode was important. The RHS appeared to be steering people away from it as a mulch, because of the impending high demand next year. Perhaps I'll ask them.
All the bought compost I use as mulch is peat-free, not by design but because it’s by far the cheapest thing to buy here. The special potting mixes usually have some manure and peat in but they are much more expensive so I avoid those and make up my own.
I use two types. An ericaceous one made of pine waste as a mulch on my ornamental beds and an even cheaper one made of general green waste on the veg beds. It’s all waste from the local forestry and timber trade, 100% vegetable matter, commercially composted on a large scale, sterilised and free from weeds and crap.
I’ve never had problems with either, quite the opposite.
So is it the case that the problems with the expensive bagged stuff in the UK is because the material comes mostly from variable quality domestic green waste with the addition of ghastly and difficult-to-wet coir?
Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
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https://www.diy.com/departments/goodhome-peat-free-beds-borders-soil-improver-50l/5063022070302_BQ.prd
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Out of interest, I just did a search on the new style Bing search engine which my computer now defaults to (I'm not sure that I like it!) and got this reply to my question about whether peat free compost improves soil structure:
Peat-free compost is an organic soil improver that enhances your soil with added organic matter. It is ideal for your lawn beds and borders and improves your current soil structure or existing compost (This links to a Homebase description of their peat free compost which also mentions the organic matter content) (Other retailers and products are available!)
May be Arit should use the new Bing search engine!
This is why I think the context of the GW episode was important. The RHS appeared to be steering people away from it as a mulch, because of the impending high demand next year. Perhaps I'll ask them.
"Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
I use two types. An ericaceous one made of pine waste as a mulch on my ornamental beds and an even cheaper one made of general green waste on the veg beds. It’s all waste from the local forestry and timber trade, 100% vegetable matter, commercially composted on a large scale, sterilised and free from weeds and crap.
I’ve never had problems with either, quite the opposite.
So is it the case that the problems with the expensive bagged stuff in the UK is because the material comes mostly from variable quality domestic green waste with the addition of ghastly and difficult-to-wet coir?