Peat and peat composts

In his article from 1970, Henry Tod, PhD, focuses on how peat is formed and the ways in which peat is being used in horticulture, particularly as a growing medium

SOME 30 years ago the now famous John Innes composts were introduced by Lawrence and Newell, and this may be said to have been a horticultural revolution for, from the great range of mixtures used for seed raising and potting, two basic mixes were established after extensive and careful research. To these seed and potting composts were added two more potting composts with higher levels of plant foods, plus a cutting compost.

These composts, however, depended on the use of a good fibrous loam and this became progressively harder to obtain as time went by. Eventually, work was begun on no-soil or loamless composts