The Peat-Free Diet: Preface

The idea that we should be gardening without using peat is not a new one, at least here in the UK. I have a copy of ‘Gardening Without Peat’, published by Friends of the Earth in 1991. It explains that our exploitation of peat bogs is using up peat faster than it is being formed – we should consider it a non-renewable resource. The destruction of the peat bogs is causing a decline in biodiversity and allowing carbon dioxide to escape into the atmosphere to add to our climate woes.

In 1991 the celebrity gardeners and garden writers of the time backed the campaign and pledged to reduce their dependence on peat. And they have done the same thing on a semi-regular basis since, although there remain plenty of voices of dissent.

The debate has erupted again this spring because Alan Titchmarsh has gone on record to say that he (although he participated in peat-free campaigns in the past) still uses some peat and will continue to do so until a “perfect substitute” is available. Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has put his name to a range of kitchen gardening products for a national DIY store chain – some of which contain peat.

In April 2011 the RSPB conducted a survey of “well known gardeners, garden writers, bloggers and landscape artists”, and then published the results. 27 people responded, of which 80% said they were using little or no peat. I was one of the 27, and towards the end of April, I was quoted on the Telegraph website as saying I had been gardening almost without peat for 10 years. In fact, during those 10 years I bought one bag of peat-based compost, to grow carnivorous plants, and it was the ethically-sound reclaimed Moorland Gold rather than extracted peat.

But before I polish my halo I should say that peat is