Fen display - use peat free composts
Fens and bogs are a wetland habitat where peat accumulates. Peat locks away carbon.
Since the 1970s, the horticultural industry has relied heavily on peat based composts sourced from natural peat bogs, due to its lightweight and water-retentive properties. The extraction of this non-renewable resource results in loss of habitat and wildlife, as well as release of carbon into the atmosphere.
From 2020, the RHS has stopped selling peat-based composts. Peat-free growing media is now encouraged across all sectors. Much research is going on into how to grow certain specialist plants that are thought to require peat for proper growth, such as carnivorous and ericaceous plants, using sustainable peat alternatives. Be sure to look out for peat free composts next time you visit your garden centre.