Peat or Peat‑Free? What Gardeners Really Need to Know

If you've spent any time in a garden centre recently (hopefully ours!), you'll have noticed peat‑free composts taking up more and more shelf space. And if you've also noticed gardeners standing in front of those stacks looking a bit unsure… you're definitely not alone.

For years, peat‑based compost was the familiar favourite: reliable, easy to work with, and something you didn't really have to think much about. But times are changing — and not only for environmental reasons. Modern peat‑free composts are genuinely impressive, and we've been using them ourselves with great results.

Let's break it all down in a friendly, no‑nonsense way.

What Is Peat, and Why Was It So Popular?

Peat forms over thousands of years in bogs and wetlands. It's been the gardener's go‑to for decades because it's:

• Lightweight and easy to handle
• Great at holding moisture
• Nice and consistent in texture
• Affordable and widely available
• It's the compost equivalent of an old, dependable cardigan — comfortable and familiar.

So Why Move Away From Peat?

Peatlands are unique, delicate habitats that store enormous amounts of carbon and support specialised wildlife. When peat is harvested, that carbon is released and the habitat is disrupted or lost entirely.

That's why the UK is phasing out peat use and why many gardeners are choosing peat‑free alternatives. But this isn't about guilt — it's simply about understanding the change and embracing composts that are now genuinely excellent.

What's in Peat‑Free Compost These Days?

Gone are the days when peat‑free compost meant a bag of something that resembled shredded MDF. Today's mixes are carefully engineered using blends of:

• Coir (coconut fibre)
• Wood fibre
• Bark fines
• Green waste compost
• Composted bracken or wool (in specialist blends)

These ingredients create structure, moisture retention, aeration and nutrient content that rival — and sometimes beat — peat.

Getting the Best Results With Peat‑Free

Peat‑free compost behaves slightly differently, but nothing complicated. A few tweaks go a long way:

1. Water Well (Properly)

It may dry a little quicker on top but holds moisture beautifully once watered thoroughly. A good soak is better than a sprinkle.

2. Feed a Little Earlier

Peat‑free mixes often contain less "built‑in" nutrient, so hungry plants appreciate earlier or slightly more regular feeding.

3. Drainage Matters

A pot without a drainage hole is still a no from us — peat‑free or not!

4. Pick the Right Mix

Seed compost, multipurpose, container mix, specialist blends… they all do different jobs. Choosing the right one makes a big difference.

🛒 Our Experience at Lay of the Land

Here's the bit that matters most:
We use the very same peat‑free compost we sell — every day — for growing our plants in the nursery.

If it didn't work, trust us, we'd know instantly. But it does work. Beautifully. Seedlings, young plants, and established nursery stock all thrive in it, and we wouldn't put anything on sale that we haven't already tested on our own benches.

And because our garden centre is tiny (cosy, charming, delightfully compact…), we don't have aisles of compost to peruse. All our compost — every bag — is stacked right on the ramp as you walk in. Simple. Honest. Accessible. You see exactly what we use because it's literally right there.

Peat‑Free Doesn't Mean Compromise

Switching to peat‑free isn't about lowering expectations. It's about choosing a compost that supports healthy plants and protects the ecosystems beyond your garden gate.

Is it slightly different to use at first? A little.
Does it give fantastic results once you get used to it? Absolutely.

And if you ever find yourself standing on our ramp, staring at the compost stack and wondering which one you need — just ask. We're always happy to chat compost… probably for longer than you expect.