[mumofstig]

the RHS say they are using peat free products successfully.....so i think it is about time they told us what they are using/doing.

In some recent trials they had 100% germination.......but they didn't say what in

[richyrich7]

the RHS say they are using peat free products successfully.....so i think it is about time they told us what they are using/doing.

In some recent trials they had 100% germination.......but they didn't say what in

Couch perhaps ?? 

[sclarke624]

mumofstig said:
In some recent trials they had 100% germination.......but they didn't say what in

My thoughts exactly

[Potiron]

   I thought I saw on GW. 2 maybe 3 years ago, they were composting Bracken to see if this could be used in the place of Peat.
  Does anyone know the result of this trial?

[celjaci]

   I thought I saw on GW. 2 maybe 3 years ago, they were composting Bracken to see if this could be used in the place of Peat.
  Does anyone know the result of this trial?

I think it was fairly succesful although high temperatures were needed to successfully break down the carcinogens in bracken. One company at least is marketing it now.
It seems though that composted bracken has been overshadowed by composted green waste, many councils and some companies are now producing quantities of good quality stuff.
There is even a standard now ( PAs 100 ) for composted green waste and some companies are using it as a constituent of peat free compost

[mumofstig]

Found this while noseying around....gives another perspective, especially bit about UN reclassifying it as renewable.

http://www.glendoick.com/content.php?page=peat

[celjaci]

Found this while noseying around....gives another perspective, especially bit about UN reclassifying it as renewable.

http://www.glendoick.com/content.php?page=peat

Think I said that back in March!!

Did they mention that the horticultural use of peat is only a small %age?
Something like 5-10% of Irish peat - bulk of it goes to power stations as fuel!!

In some areas like Finland, Canada, Siberia, peat is still being produced so fast and over such large areas it could almost be seen as a renewable resource.

Some Finnish peat extraction has been carefully controlled to enhancethe environment, producing lakes, bogs and water courses and encouraging biodiversity

Peat free composts have had many difficulties and still need more development - see thread on Peat Free Composts

Certainly peat should not be used for soil improvement as it used to be - composted green waste is now cheap and widely available and does a better job

[mumofstig]

I thought it was different enough to post