Get Expert Gardening Advice

Every month, our gardening experts answer your questions. Watch their answers below and come back next month to submit your own question.

Questions Answered This Month

• How can I protect my greenhouse plants over the winter?
• How do I winter mulch perennials without burying their crowns?
• Can I improve the flowering of an old climbing rose?
• Should I remove a variegated alder tree with coral spots on its bark?
• How do I get rid of worm casts in my lawn?

Previous Q&A Sessions

• October:
  • How to retain water in peat-free compost
  • How to prune raspberries without knowing their type
  • What to do with unripe figs on a tree
  • How to get rid of fuchsia gall mite
  • Whether to pot or plant autumn sale perennials
• September:
  • How to reuse old compost
  • Whether to use pot feet or saucers for containers
  • How to fix a lawn damaged by summer and crows
  • Whether new shoots on a dead wisteria will flower
  • What to do with a plum tree with brown rot
• August:
  • How to revive dehydrated potted hydrangeas
  • What is “loam” in compost
  • How to control black spot on roses without spraying
  • Why runner beans have failed
  • Why brassicas have grown without a center
• July:
  • How often to water dahlias and sweet peas
  • How to treat powdery mildew on plants
  • When to take cuttings of leggy pinks
  • Why vegetable plants are all leaves and no fruit
  • Whether to cut back non-fruiting stems on summer-fruiting raspberries

Submit Your Question

As a Premium member, you can submit your gardening questions to our experts each month. They will choose a selection of questions to answer and share their advice at the end of the month.

Please note that you will not receive an individual response. Come back later in the month to see if your question has been answered.

What is Peat-Free Compost?

Peat-free compost is a type of soil conditioner that is made without peat moss. Peat moss is a natural material that forms in bogs and fens. It is often used in gardening because it is lightweight, absorbent, and holds nutrients well. However, peat moss is also a non-renewable resource, and harvesting it can damage these important habitats.

Why Use Peat-Free Compost?

Peat-free compost is a more sustainable choice than peat-based compost because it does not contribute to climate change or damage peatlands. Peatlands are important ecosystems that store carbon and provide habitat for many plants and animals. When peat moss is harvested, it releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which contributes to global warming.

How to Choose Peat-Free Compost

When choosing a peat-free compost, look for products that are made from sustainable materials, such as coir, wood fibre, or green waste. Coir is a waste product from coconut plantations, and wood fibre is a byproduct of the forestry industry. Green waste is organic material that is collected from gardens and other sources.

How to Use Peat-Free Compost

Peat-free compost can be used in the same way as peat-based compost. It can be used to improve the soil in your garden, or it can be used to pot up plants. When using peat-free compost, it is important to water it regularly and to feed your plants with a liquid fertilizer.

How to Make Your Own Peat-Free Compost

You can also make your own peat-free compost at home. To do this, you will need to collect organic materials, such as leaves, grass clippings, and vegetable peelings. You can also add wood chips or sawdust to your compost pile. Once you have collected your materials, mix them together in a compost bin or pile. Turn your compost pile regularly to aerate it and help it decompose. After a few months, your compost will be ready to use.

Conclusion

Peat-free compost is a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to peat-based compost. By using peat-free compost, you can help to protect peatlands and reduce your carbon footprint.