Where to get peat in UK?

Lorraine 8/18/2011, 5:51 am

Very new to SFG and trying to set up the beds, but where do I get the peat in these environmentally-aware times?

I can find peat-free compost and compost with some peat in it but no peat on its own!

**camprn** 8/18/2011, 7:13 am

Greetings and Where to get peat in UK? 396615

to the SFG Forum.
This is a good question, but I have no conclusive answer for you. I think you will need to do the hunting. I can tell you that what the Americans call peat moss is not 'peat' as you know it but sphagnum moss, most of which here in North America is grown primarily in Canada. There are some northern European countries that do grow, harvest and export sphagnum to be used in horticulture. I suggest contacting your local nursery/garden shops. An alternative would be coir, a fibre from coconuts. Also, in Mel's book he suggests that if you cannot get any sphagnum peat, straight mixed composts are an acceptable alternative. Have you had a chance to read the All New Square Foot Gardening yet?

Goosegirl 8/18/2011, 7:16 am

Lorraine wrote:Very new to SFG and trying to set up the beds, but where do I get the peat in these environmentally-aware times?

I can find peat-free compost and compost with some peat in it but no peat on its own!

You may have to substitute coir - coconut husk fiber - for the peat. It has very similar properties for fluffing the mix and holding water. Since it is quickly renewable (as opposed to the eons it takes to renew peat) it is considered 'greener' and may be more readily available in UK. Some have had to use rice hulls as well, we use what we have available!

GG

Icemaiden 8/18/2011, 6:41 pm

This one seems to be available
http://www.tfmsuperstore.co.uk/product.lasso?product=Irish-Moss-Peat,-100-Litre-Bale+4858

If you google the brand name you might find a place near you - and their home page comes up with a list of loads of different grades of peat. i have no idea which would be best.

Lorraine 8/20/2011, 6:00 am

Thanks to you all for taking the trouble to reply.

I think initially I'll go with the mixed compost.

shannon1 8/20/2011, 6:42 am

I just wanted to say Where to get peat in UK? 61949

and welcome to the forum. Have you gardened before? I hear SFG is much easier than row gardening. I'll have to take their word for it as SFG is the only way I have gardened. What can you grow where you are?

Icemaiden 8/20/2011, 8:01 am

Lorraine wrote:Thanks to you all for taking the trouble to reply.

I think initially I'll go with the mixed compost.

Just read the contents label carefully because "compost" can mean a lot of different things in the UK.

Frenchbean 7/28/2012, 7:43 am

Hi everyone thought you would all like to know you CAN buy peat in the UK. I have trawled the internet for weeks trying to find it. Guess what it was right under my nose. Embarassed

Everyone go to ebay okay

look under composts its in there but tucked away. happy banana

**walshevak** 7/28/2012, 5:08 pm

Yea!!!!!!

Kay

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I have found peat in the UK

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