My views about peat-free

HOW refreshing it is to read the news item (AG, 28 August) setting out some of the problems with peat-free compost and asking for comments. I have found in nearly all of the gardening literature I have read little or no constructive contributions of how to use peat-free compost.

As an ordinary gardener with only a basic knowledge I have purchased numerous brands of peat-free compost from reputable suppliers and have found them as stated very inconsistent and many of very poor quality. In one case a third consisted of small pieces of sticks.

In another case, when wetted the surface became caked so that it had to be broken up before further irrigation. In fact, in general, I