BUYER’S GUIDE Peat-free compost

As we begin a new growing season, it’s a good time to put resolutions in place and going peat-free is a great way to start. The Government plans to ban the sale of peat compost in England by 2024 but, last year at COP26, the National Trust, together with other environmental groups worldwide, called for a ban without delay.

There are clear environmental reasons why we should all stop using even small amounts of peat: peat bogs are the world’s largest carbon store, trapping far more of the carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to global warming than forests, plus digging up peat actually contributes to carbon emissions.

Many gardeners understand the environmental implications, but issues with peat-free compost, such as cost, availability and performance, have hindered its take-up in