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Peat free compost

Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,713
in Tools and techniques
Sorry if I have placed this in the wrong section.  Advice and experience of peat free composts requested please.  We are newbies to peat free (I am ashamed to admit).  We do use a lot of homemade compost which must be good for the environment and my conscience. We have recently purchased some Melcourt peat free bags of compost from our local Blue Diamond garden centre which I believe contains coir and then I read in Gardeners World that this is imported so is this acceptable?
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  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 10,974
    Coir is from coconuts GD so will have to be imported.
    Maybe with climate change we'll be growing them in the Uk one day tho..
    As far as I now coir is quite eco-friendly

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,591
    edited February 2020
    I'm not ashamed to admit that I don't use peat free compost. 
    Ireland burns millions of tons of peat every year in their power stations, so I'm not going to feel guilty about the few kilos I use per year
    Devon.
  • FireFire Posts: 17,403
    I use New Horzion peat free.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 10,974
    Hostafan1 said:
    I'm not ashamed to admit that I don't use peat free compost. 
    Ireland burns millions of tons of peat every year in their power stations, so I'm not going to feel guilty about the few kilos I use per year
    Couldn't agree more Hosta

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • TenNTenN Posts: 184
    I've been using New Horizon and B+Q's own brand peat free, no complaints. Not bothered with what Ireland does, can only be bothered about what I do.
  • SlumSlum Posts: 382
    Some things I can control, some I can’t. I can control what I use in my garden but not what power stations in Ireland burn. I’m happy I’m doing my bit.

    There are plenty of big polluters of the oceans so I just throw my plastic waste into the sea. When they stop, then I will. 😉

    I used Melcourt Sylvagrow last year and it was excellent. I’ve also had good results making my own with coir, a cheap green waste compost and garden soil. 
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,591
    the bit about not feeling guilty still applies
    Devon.
  • Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,713
    I used Melcourt Sylvagrow last year and it was excellent. I’ve also had good results making my own with coir, a cheap green waste compost and garden soil. 

    That is the same as our new purchase @s@Slum, so I was pleased to read that you are happy with  the results.

    If everyone used the peat free alternatives then the price would come down even more.  I am pleased to do my bit for the environment. Think of the generations to come rather than thinking just of yourself.

  • andyWPx7m7BcandyWPx7m7Bc Posts: 2
    Hostafan1 said:
    I'm not ashamed to admit that I don't use peat free compost. 
    Ireland burns millions of tons of peat every year in their power stations, so I'm not going to feel guilty about the few kilos I use per year
    Things are changing for the better - https://www.bordnamona.ie/bord-na-mona-announce-formal-end-to-all-peat-harvesting-on-its-lands/. It’s not the individual use of peat that causes issues, it’s the collective use. Add up all those few kgs and it amounts to millions of tons. Every bit that every individual does, adds up in a very positive way.
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