Every time we sow a seed, repot a plant, or tend to our backyard borders, we make choices — not just for our gardens, but for the planet. For decades, peat-based compost has been the go-to growing medium for home gardeners across Europe and North America. It’s easy to find, easy to use, and promises lush, vigorous growth.
But few realize that behind every bag lies an ecological tragedy. Peat is not just soil — it’s one of the Earth's most valuable carbon stores and a unique ecosystem thousands of years in the making. Digging it up for garden use is not only unnecessary, it’s doing irreversible damage. The good news? You don’t need peat to grow a thriving garden. In fact, once you break the habit, you might never go back.
Peat is a type of soil formed over thousands of years in wetland habitats. It consists of partially decomposed plant material, especially sphagnum moss, which accumulates in waterlogged, low-oxygen conditions.
It takes nature about a year to form just one millimeter of peat, making it an incredibly slow-renewing and delicate resource. Yet the demand from horticulture has led to the industrial-scale extraction of peatlands, destroying unique ecosystems and releasing vast amounts of stored carbon.
Over 95% of the UK’s lowland peat bogs have already been damaged or lost. Peatlands are, in fact, the most efficient land-based carbon stores on the planet — holding up to 10 times more carbon per hectare than forests. Once destroyed, these ancient habitats and their carbon stores are gone for good.
And here's the key point: garden plants don’t need peat. In fact, many thrive just as well — or even better — in peat-free growing media. With the right materials and a few adjustments, peat-free gardening is not only possible but also highly rewarding.
Take Liz, a home gardener from southern England. She used to rely on budget peat composts until she learned about the environmental cost. Initially skeptical, she made the switch to peat-free compost and began experimenting with her own homemade mixes. Over time, she found that her plants grew stronger, more resilient roots, and her garden actually became more productive.
Making your own potting compost at home is one of the easiest and most sustainable steps toward peat-free gardening. Different stages of plant growth require different soil compositions. For seed sowing, for instance, seeds contain all the nutrients needed to germinate — what they really need is drainage and a low-nutrient environment. A simple, effective mix is one part garden loam and one part well-rotted leaf mould. Both materials should be well-sieved to remove lumps, gently firmed, and kept moist for best results.
As your seedlings grow and it's time to pot them on, they’ll need a bit more nutrition — but not too much. Overfeeding at this stage can lead to leggy, weak plants. A balanced mix of one part loam, one part leaf mould, and one part sieved garden compost provides gentle, slow-release nutrients while maintaining good drainage and structure.
When it comes to propagating from cuttings, drainage and fine texture are vital. A recommended mix is equal parts sharp sand and mature compost, or you can use a high-quality commercial peat-free medium like coir. Pre-form the holes before inserting cuttings, press the mix gently around them, and top with horticultural grit to retain moisture and deter fungus gnats.
Herbs like sage, thyme, basil, and marjoram thrive in well-drained conditions — it’s moisture, not cold, that usually kills their roots. A Mediterranean-style mix of one part loam, one part compost, and one part sharp sand mimics their native soil conditions and promotes healthy, fragrant growth.
For large containers, where plants need to remain for longer periods, slow-release nutrition and moisture management become essential. A 50:50 blend of loam and compost works well. If your loam is particularly fertile, you can reduce the compost and refresh it each growing season. During blooming and fruiting stages, supplementing with homemade feeds such as comfrey tea can give plants an extra boost.
When choosing or making a potting mix for containers, aim for something that:
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Holds nutrients while draining well
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Retains air but keeps roots stable
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Has uniform texture (free from large chunks or clumps)
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Is clean — no weed seeds, pests, or diseases
Avoid mixes that:
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Shrink in volume and leave pots half-empty
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Become compacted and airless
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Lose nutrients quickly or overwhelm seedlings with too much richness
If you’re buying peat-free compost, be mindful of what’s actually in the bag. Terms like "reduced peat" often mean the product still contains up to 80% peat. Phrases such as "not from environmentally sensitive sites" are misleading — all peat bogs are sensitive ecosystems. Even the word "organic" doesn't guarantee a peat-free product.
Look for reputable peat-free brands like Melcourt’s Sylvagrow, Dalefoot’s Lakeland Gold, and Fertile Fibre. These companies are committed to 100% peat-free production. While peat-free composts can be slightly more expensive, they’re a long-term investment — in both your garden and the planet.
You may notice that peat-free composts feel a bit different — typically coarser due to materials like wood chips and coir. This means they behave differently when it comes to water. The surface may appear dry while moisture remains below.
Stick your finger into the soil to test moisture levels instead of relying on appearances. Water little and often, and don’t let the mix dry out completely — it can become hydrophobic and difficult to re-wet. If this happens, soak the pot in a bucket until it rehydrates.
Feeding is another consideration. Most bagged composts — peat-free or not — contain controlled release fertilizers that last only a few weeks. While peat composts may stretch to six weeks, many peat-free mixes offer nutrients for about four.
Observing your plants regularly is key. Signs of nutrient deficiency, such as pale leaves or slow growth, indicate it’s time to feed. Liquid feeds like homemade comfrey or nettle tea are great organic options. For mature plants, incorporating your own compost into the potting mix adds long-term nourishment and structure.
Some gardeners, like Georges in southern France, have gone even further by setting up community gardens that use only peat-free media. He recalls that once he stopped using peat, his seedling survival rate actually improved — roots grew deeper and stronger. He now grows tomatoes and three types of chili peppers on his balcony, all in self-made compost blends.
Peat-free gardening isn’t just a trend — it’s part of a growing global shift toward sustainable living. By using renewable local materials like leaf mould, compost, and even kitchen scraps, you create a regenerative system in your own backyard.
Countries across Europe are already phasing out peat sales. In the UK, peat-based compost for amateur gardeners is set to be banned completely. Gardeners have the power to lead this movement from the ground up.
Letting go of peat doesn’t mean compromising plant health or gardening success. Quite the opposite — it opens the door to deeper, more intentional engagement with your garden. With a little knowledge and experimentation, you’ll discover that your plants can thrive in a peat-free world, and your soil will be healthier for it.
The future of gardening is green — and it starts with what’s in your pot.