Alternatives to Peat?

[Moggle]

I am determined this year, once I have used up the peat-based compost that I already own (bought before I really thought about it :-[), to go peat free.

What are my best peat-free options for seed raising, while still having good germination? I read on that Which magazine comparison that was posted here a while ago that most of the Peat-free composts did badly for raising seedlings.

I am going to have to buy something, as my compost bin is very new, so using my own isn't an option.

[Moggle]

[tim]

Right with you there, Moggle. Small step for man but.....! Trouble is, there are so many factors. My thoughts only.

1. There's as much in the 'make-up' & consistency of the material, bag to bag, as in the medium itself.
2. One tends to stick by the bigger names - like Arthur Bowers - who've been doing compost for 50 years or more.
3. Processes & quality vary - improve? - year on year. So hindsight is not always helpful.
4. When you're thinking of 20-30 grow bags, the cost of alternatives becomes pretty daunting.
5. Meet up halfway? I'm going for 'Moorland Gold' this year. Still peat but environmentally sound. NOT made by a big name!!
6. I shall also be trying 'New Horizon' for the less fussy things.
7. Trouble is - when did you ever do a 'control' to test these things against??
8. We're a very environmentally oriented family so KEEP TRYING!!
= Tim

[aquilegia]

I've found that some peat-free compost is so chunky it's impossible to use for seeds. But then another bag of same compost is fine. I think if you can buy it in advance and store it, it seems to break down more in the bag.

I tend to sieve mine to get rid of the chunkiest bits and this year I'm going to use vermiculite/perlite too.

[tim]

Or you can just cover the seed with fine Vermiculite? = Tim

[Moggle]

Thanks Tim and Aqui, you have both given me plenty to think about. Don't know why I didn't think of the moorland gold myself, looked qhite interesting in the Organic Catalogue. Aqui, your idea about seiving sounds excellent too.

Now just have to put my money where my mouth is   :D

Also Tim, I used a couple of B&Qs Organic peat free grow bags last year (halved), and my toms did ok. Not bad at only £1.30 ish. Worth trialing a couple this year?

[Garden Manager]

I too am trying to give up peat based composts - so far without sucess. I have though used a reduced peat mix in the past, which was OK. Now planning to try a totaly peat free type and see how i get on.

Trouble is peat based is still cheaper per litre than peat free, and some peat frees are no more environmentaly frendly (eg made from a product requiring the use of fossil fuels to import!  ::)). Carefull selection and sourcing is therefore required.

[ajb]

JA Bowers New Horizon works well for me.  A bit more expensive than non-peat mixes, it won the Which? Gardening trial.  Like Aquilegia I seive it if I'm using small seeds.

Coir makes a good substitute, but given that it is shipped halfway around the world the HDRA lists it as an unacceptable alternative.

Leaf mould is ideal but try getting your hands on that! I've only got a year to wait before my single bin of leaves will be ready - I hope it goes a long way!

[Moggle]

Shug, thanks for the tip about Coir, I was considering using that, but not now.

Leaf mould isn't an option now, but next year may be.

Discovered yesterday when emptying last years B&Q peat free growbag on to the allotment that some of it was very fine (as Aqui said) and I think I could have used it for seeds.

I will be buying some more of them this year, so I will test a few out, and sieve some or something like that, and mix with vermiculite/perlite.

Thanks guys for all your help and suggestions.

[Moggle]

Right, thought I'd bring this up again as I have bought some compost and sown some seeds.

I ended up buying B&Q organic compost (composted bark) at £2.50 odd for 20 litres. (I'm sure I could have got cheaper compost, but I was there on my own and found even 20L a bit of a struggle, in my work clothes!)

I mixed 2 parts of that with 2 parts of the last of the peat-based which I had left, and then 1 part vermiculite.

I noticed that the B&Q stuff had a few big lumps in it, but was mostly fairly fine.

I think with my next lot of seeds I will try a comparison of that mix with just the peat-free and vermiculite, perhaps 1:1

I have some leafmould 'brewing' away in bin bags at the lottie, so next year I may use some of that in the mix.

Thanks once again everyone for your help  :)

[tim]

Wish I had seen that New Horizon is of good repute. Nearly went for it, but got these instead.