What is in Peat Free Compost?
What’s in Peat Free Compost and is there anything you should be adding?
At The Coconut Compost Company, we incorporate only the highest quality natural materials into our products. We aim to give gardeners and growers a real choice that enables them to dispense with peat products, help protect the planet, and enhance their gardening.
With bulk bags, multipurpose, organic and a range of offers available, we make it easy for gardeners and growers to obtain high-quality peat free compost. Check out the delivery information to find out just how simple it is to have peat free compost delivered to your door.
Why not take a look around our website to find out more about our compost, bulk buy discounts, available offers and delivery information?
If you’re still considering peat free pros and cons or why choose peat free compost, then read on to find out what goes into our products and why we believe it’s the right choice for gardeners and the planet.
What we include in our compost
What is in peat free compost is a question we’re often asked. In the past, substances such as wood bark have been used with mixed results. At The Coconut Compost Company, we have opted for a different approach.
Our compost is made from coir. Not only is this a highly sustainable product, but it also has some real benefits for gardeners. Derived from the fibrous husks of coconuts, coir provides superior moisture retention and aeration. It surpasses peat by being able to absorb 30 per cent more water and takes on moisture more easily after drying out. It makes an excellent soil conditioner and works well in potting mixes, for vegetable and fruit growing and can be a practical option for starting seeds due to some natural disease resistance.
Coir is the only ingredient that we use, unlike other composts that often have a variety of ingredients.
It makes a great base for supporting a wide variety of gardening and growing applications, and with easy ordering and our bulk buy discounts, you can take full advantage of sustainable gardening.
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What should be added to peat free compost – do’s and don’ts.
While coir-based peat free compost provides a great environment for growing plants, by adding other materials you can refine your compost for a range of horticultural purposes.
Incorporating organic matter such as well-rotted manure, garden compost, or leaf mould can all help to raise the nutrient levels of your compost and enhance its structure. This can be particularly important when vegetable growing.
Using perlite or vermiculite can improve aeration even further while aiding moisture retention. This can be very helpful for container gardening or hanging baskets. Biochar can be a valuable addition as it increases microbial activity and enhances soil structure to help retain moisture.
FAQs
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Do you need to add anything to peat free compost?
The Coconut Compost Company range has been developed to support your gardening and growing needs without additions. Sometimes you may wish to add different materials to your peat free compost to enhance your compost further. Adding organic matter like well-rotted manure, compost, or leaf mould can improve the overall nutrient content. Using perlite or vermiculite can improve aeration even further while aiding moisture retention.
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Do plants grow better in peat free compost?
With the right care and attention, plants can grow incredibly well in peat free compost. Sometimes the results can surpass those achieved by those grown in peat products. Farmers and professional growers across the UK and the globe now use peat free composts like coir on an industrial scale to grow fruit and vegetables so it is a well-established growing medium. Coir-based composts have excellent moisture retention and aeration and may provide some resistance to common diseases. Choose the right compost for your growing aims and enrich it if necessary.
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What replaces peat in peat free compost?
Peat free compost is typically manufactured using sustainable materials like coconut coir, composted bark, wood fibres, or green waste. Coconut coir, derived from the fibrous husks of coconuts, is an excellent peat-free compost base as it provides superior moisture retention, aeration, and sustainability.
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What is the difference between peat free compost and normal compost?
Both types of compost aim to improve soil structure, moisture retention, and nutrient holding, but peat-free compost is formulated using sustainable and environmentally friendly materials, making it a planet-friendly choice. Peat based products take peat from precious peat bogs which are biodiverse ecosystems that take hundreds of years to evolve. When peat is harvested it also releases carbon into the atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect.