Being a save the world dogooder I can't and won't agree with the commercial cutting of peat for use in anything. Whilst peat cutting was done traditionally (IE by hand) it was almost sustainable. Many natural wetland habitats around the world are being destroyed by gardeners (buying peat-based compost). I wish that was an exageration -
"Almost 40 percent of Ireland's bogs were destroyed between 1995 and 2012, according to the BBC. And because peat takes a very long time to form, once the bogs are damaged, they can take up to 100 years to regrow." http://www.livescience.com/38498-ban-on-turf-cutting-peat.html
It's akin to building raised beds out of mahogany or teak and all so a few, pretty seedlings can survive/thrive in an alien environment and be enjoyed by one or two very selfish people.
A lot of people, in my experience, are too eager to either take shortcuts without thought of consequence or bury their heads in the sand to the damage they are contributing to.
I wrote to Jim on Beechgrove, and unlike some RHS folk he did write back. However as you can imagine he can't give his own opinion, so they conduct tests. By this I mean that Beechgrove will bring in several different composts at the beginning of the season. (unbranded) But they tell you what's in them ie 50% peat, non peat, wood etc Then they plant into them and show you over several shows how they are performing.
At Harrogate the RHS chap told me that Peter seabrook was one of the main people who was anti municiple composting...however I have not been able to establish if this is true
Posts
Being a save the world dogooder I can't and won't agree with the commercial cutting of peat for use in anything. Whilst peat cutting was done traditionally (IE by hand) it was almost sustainable. Many natural wetland habitats around the world are being destroyed by gardeners (buying peat-based compost). I wish that was an exageration -
"Almost 40 percent of Ireland's bogs were destroyed between 1995 and 2012, according to the BBC. And because peat takes a very long time to form, once the bogs are damaged, they can take up to 100 years to regrow." http://www.livescience.com/38498-ban-on-turf-cutting-peat.html
It's akin to building raised beds out of mahogany or teak and all so a few, pretty seedlings can survive/thrive in an alien environment and be enjoyed by one or two very selfish people.
A lot of people, in my experience, are too eager to either take shortcuts without thought of consequence or bury their heads in the sand to the damage they are contributing to.
The last part of my post also applies to the OP about the mass manufacture of "compost" in heated sheds.
And I should add my post wasn't aimed at any of you
Oh and some more reading from a trusted source - the national trust (pun intended)
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/document-1355767016972/
Fairy Girl...
I wrote to Jim on Beechgrove, and unlike some RHS folk he did write back. However as you can imagine he can't give his own opinion, so they conduct tests. By this I mean that Beechgrove will bring in several different composts at the beginning of the season. (unbranded) But they tell you what's in them ie 50% peat, non peat, wood etc Then they plant into them and show you over several shows how they are performing.
At Harrogate the RHS chap told me that Peter seabrook was one of the main people who was anti municiple composting...however I have not been able to establish if this is true
Hello. In the three years since this thread started has anything changed?