Page 26 - Oundle Life January 2022

GO PEAT
FREE
...and save our bogs
Over 95% of the UK’s peat bogs have become degraded or destroyed. Peat bogs are rare ecosystems which are home to a wealth of plants, birds and insects and their destruction increases carbon emissions. In order to reduce the pressure on existing peat bogs in May 2021, the UK Government said that it would take steps towards banning the sale of peat and products containing peat in garden centres by 2024.
There are more and more peat-free products available made from a variety of materials. Quality has improved significantly over the years, but they do have different qualities and gardeners should not expect them to behave in the same way as a peat based product. It is also important
to use the correct grade eg. potting on. Peat-free mixes have a tendency to dry out
more easily. They also have a coarse texture, which can appear dry on the surface, but still damp further down. Water little and often and check dampness by poking your finger into the medium for a few inches. Most bagged peat-free composts provide fertiliser up to four weeks.
If you are potting up mature plants, mixing in homemade compost will provide nutrients for longer.
For more GYO information, please see the National Allotment Society website. www.nsalg.org.uk
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CENTRE
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