Also from Growell & shared with permission
10 FACTS ABOUT GROWING IN PEAT FREE
As we move slowly towards a Peat Free future, we are repeatedly asked a number of questions. Within this document, we aim to try and answer some of the more common ones.
1WHY IS PEAT FREE MORE EXPENSIVE THAN PEAT?
With Peat Free compost, you do get what you pay for. Unfortunately, compared to peat, quality raw peat free materials are more expensive. This is down to coir needing to be transported half way around the World from Asia and then requiring additional processing, through to the likes of bark and wood fibre having commercial competition from the Power Generators, who burn It as bio-mass in power stations.
2SIEVE COMPOST BEFORE SOWING OR BUY A SPECIFIC PEAT FREE SEED COMPOST?
Seeds require a fine compost to set root in. Some peat frees will have larger particles of bark and woodfibre in them and so it is advisable to sieve them before planting seeds. Clover Peat Free, Eco Gro & Sylva Gro Multi Purpose all fall into this category.
Alternatively, use a specialist seed compost like the Humax Seed & Cutting.
Once the first leaves appear, commence feeding with a liquid seaweed feed. Advisable to start with a low dilution. Water using a spray gun rather than a watering can.
3DO THE ADDED INGREDIENTS MATTER?
The quality peat free composts will also contain a number of critically important ingredients. These include a base fertiliser, a Continuous Release Fertiliser (CRF) from a reputable brand like Multi-Cote, Osmocote, Vitax or Yara and various limes to get the PH within the correct range and a reputable Wetting Agent.
They may also contain additional ingredients like perlite and seaweed.
4 PEAT FREE COMPOST HAVE A SHORTER SHELF LIFE
It is true, due to the nature of Coir, Bark & Woodfibre that unlike peat you cannot store it for long periods of time. Due to ingredients being biologically active it is advisable to use a peat free compost within 6 months of purchasing it. The secret to getting the best from peat free compost is to buy little and often!.
5FUNGI LOVE PEAT FREE
It is true that peat free composts, with a high bark and wood fibre content are more susceptible to fungi growth than peat based composts. The fungi infestation may look alarming but are nothing to worry too much about. Just pick them off and put them in a compost heap to naturally rot down.
6.FEED YOUR PLANTS REGULARLY
Peat free composts tend to be more free draining than their Peat counter parts. Nutrients will get washed out via the leeching process more readily with peat free composts. The experts recommend creating a regular weekly feeding routine between March-October. Plants require multi vitamins, so using seaweed based feeds is a recommended option.
7.KNOW YOUR PEAT FREE COMPOST
Peat free composts are made up of a blend of ingredients that all have different properties. You need to understand what is in the product that you have purchased. Most peat free’s will contain a blend from the following ingredients. The more expensive ones will have very little or no green waste in them:-
COMPOSTED BARK
Dark, crumbly, holds moisture and nutrients well, and aerates compost. Look at the range size of particles within the mix. Products with larger particles will be okay for potting on but not for seed sowing.
COIR
A waste product from the husks of coconuts. It is stable, lightweight and holds water extremely well. Be careful of purchasing any cheap coir composts because of where the coir is sourced from, if not properly washed, ideally at source, or during the re-wetting process, can still retain a large sodium level. All gardeners know that high levels of sodium will kill plants.
WOOD FIBRE
Again varies in texture and particle size from a fine composted lightweight texture to one that has been through an extruded process. Depending on the extruder, this may contain larger fibre chunks. Wood fibre will normally appear very light coloured within the compost mix. It tends to be more free draining than other ingredients. The more expensive peat free mixes will contain wood fibre made from virgin material. The cheaper mixes may contain wood fibre derived from recycled material and may appear darker.
ORGANIC MATTER
These tend to be natural by-products of the processing of farm crops in a anaerobic digester or raw material derived from a natural composting process over time . Again particle size can vary depending on how much grading takes place in the manufacturing process. Like peat, well graded, (smaller particles), will appear in the more expensive products because of the additional manufacturing processing costs. These types of raw materials will hold water.
GREEN WASTE
The most contentious of peat free ingredients and the one most often found in the cheaper peat free products. The quality of green waste ingredients depends on the range and amount of contaminates that may have entered the green waste to compost cycle. If a product is cheap it is because it contains a large amount of green waste. To guarantee good crops it is probably best avoided.
LOAM/ JOHN INNES MIX
These will be a mix of loam, coir, sand and bark. Bag sizes tend to be limited to 25ltr and below because of the weight of the loam. The exact mixes will depend on whether it is a fine mix for seeds (JI Seed & Ji No1) or a more open structure for potting on, (JI No2 & JI No3).
8.DEVELOP A WATERING REGIME
One of the main criticisms of peat free composts is that they do not retain moisture like a peat compost. This is true to a point but appearances can be deceptive. One issue is that peat free compost appears dry on the surface, when actually below the surface it is still damp. A good tip is to do the finger test by inserting a finger beneath the surface of the compost. If it is still universally damp, you do not need to water. If it is not consistently damp or is dry, then water. It is very easy to over water peat free composts and increase the leeching of nutrients. Though, some research evidence does point to peat free composts requiring an extra 18% more water than peat based ones. This proves that keeping a watchful eye on plants watering needs is critical to success.
9.PEAT FREE COMPOSTS ATTRACT SCIARID FLIES
There are reports that the little black Sciarid Fly is a bigger problem in peat free compost compared to peat based ones. This is true to a point, especially in house plants. Sciarid flies thrive off decaying matter. The higher the volume of recycled waste in the compost the more likely to have this problem. Solutions range from top dressing with potting grit, treating with an insecticide or with Nematodes.
10GET TO KNOW YOUR PEAT FREE COMPOSTS.
Like with peat based composts certain manufacturers and brands will be different. They may all use the same base materials like Coir, Wood Fribre, Bark or Green waste but in different ratios. They will all use slightly different Continuous Release Feed (CRF’s), Wetting Agents and added additional ingredients like perlite or seaweed.
The secret is to choose a quality Peat Free and really get to understand the characteristics of the product. Unfortunately, this will take time and a certain amount of trial and error. The good news is that we have a great range to choose from:-
Current Range Of Peat Free Composts
Clover Gro-Green Peat Free Multi-Purpose 40ltr
A peat free multi-purpose blend containing a blend of finely milled wood fibre and coir.
The product includes perlite, an advanced wetting agent and water retaining polymer for improved water management.
It also contains RHP approved specialist PG base and Multi-Cote Continuous Release Fertilisers to improve feed longevity.
Flower Gro Eco- Gro Peat Free Multi-Purpose 50ltr
A peat free multi-purpose compost is made from natural organic materials, sourced from the UK & Ireland. This product contains a blend of dark organic matter, wood fibre (Fibagro Advance), Wetting Agent H2 Gro, Perlite and Calcified Seaweed.
It also contains RHP approved specialist PG base and Multi-Cote Continuous Release Fertilisers to improve feed longevity.
Bloom & Gro Organic Peat Free Compost 40ltr
A peat free compost manufactured from heat treated recycled organic ingredients.
Humax Peat Free Original Multi Purpose 50Ltr
A premier peat free multi purpose blend containing 20% wood fibre (Fibagro Advance), 30% 0-8mm Bark and 40% Coir. It also contains 5% John Innes Loam and 5% Silver Sand .
In addition H2 Gro Wetting Agent, lime, base fertilisers and extra Osmoform High N 8-10 week feed.
Humax Professional Peat Free Multi Purpose 50ltr
A professional peat free mix containing a blend of three quality ingredients. It comprises of 30% wood fibre (Fibagro Advance), 40% 0-8mm bark and 30% Coir.
It also contains H2 Gro Wetting Agent, lime, base fertilisers and extra Osmoform High N 8-10 week feed.
Humax Free Seed & Cutting Compost 25ltr
A specially designed seed sowing peat free mix. This fine blend contains 45% 0-8mm bark, 45% coir, 5% Silver Sand and 5% John Innes Loam.
It also contains H2 Gro Wetting Agent, lime, base fertilisers and extra Osmoform High N 8-10 week feed.
Humax Peat Free Ericaceous 50ltr
A specifically formulated peat free ericaceous mix designed for lime hating plants. The formulation contains 30% Wood Fibre (Fibagro Advance), 30% 0-8mm bark and 40% Coir.
It also contains H2 Gro Wetting Agent, base fertilisers and extra Osmoform High N 8-10 week feed.
Humax Peat Free Multi Planter 40ltr
A high quality peat free Planter mix containing a blend of three quality ingredients. It comprises of 30% wood fibre (Fibagro Advance), 40% 0-8mm bark and 30% Coir.
It also contains H2 Gro Wetting Agent, lime, base fertilisers and extra Osmoform High N 8-10 week feed.
Melcourt All Purpose Peat Free Compost 40ltr
Manufactured from a blend of top quality conifer bark 0-8mm (40%), wood fibre (30%), coir (20%) and green compost (10%).
Contains a balanced slows release fertiliser.
SylvaGrow Multi-Purpose Peat Free 40ltr
Manufactured from an unique blend of fine bark 0-8mm (40%), wood fibre (30%) and Coir (30%)
Contains a balanced slow release fertiliser.
SylvaGrow Compost With Added John Innes 40ltr
Manufactured from an unique blend of fine bark 0-8mm, (40%) woodfibre (30%), coir (20%) plus sterilised loam (5%) and Silver Sand (5%).
Contains a balanced slow release fertiliser.
