How to go peat-free in your garden
Peat belongs in bogs, not bags
For years, peat has been widely used in compost for gardening and growing, but at a devastating cost. More than 80% of Northern Ireland's peatlands have been destroyed or damaged, taking with it a wealth of wildlife and a vital carbon store that can't be replaced.
In 2022, about 170,000 m3 of peat – enough to fill nearly 70 Olympic-sized swimming pools - was extracted from peatlands in Northern Ireland for use in horticulture. This not only fuels the climate crisis by releasing large quantities of carbon dioxide, but it also undermines efforts for the government to meet statutory net-zero targets.
While the UK, Scottish and Welsh governments have pledged to pass legislation to end peat sales, Northern Ireland has dropped its proposals to phase out peat compost sales by 2025, and no date has yet been set to ban peat-related gardening products.
We urgently need stronger ambition — a clear and immediate ban on the sale of bagged peat compost in both amateur and professional gardening. In trials, almost all plant varieties have been shown to grow as well in peat-free compost as in peat.
Top tips for going peat-free
Choose peat-free compost
Look for bags clearly labelled ‘peat-free’ at garden centres or nurseries. If it doesn’t say it, it likely contains peat! See details of local peat-free stockists below.
Buy plants grown in peat-free compost
Many plants, especially houseplants and plugs are still grown in peat. Ask your nursery before buying—and let them know you care!
Make your own peat-free compost
Use your kitchen scraps and garden waste to create your own compost. – ready in as little as 6 months. This will save you money and reduce the amount of waste going to landfill.
Embrace Other Eco-Friendly Practices
- Leaf Mould - collect fallen leaves and let them decompose into leaf mould
- Direct Seeding - sow seeds directly into the soil to reduce the need for pots and compost.
- Bare-Root Plants – skip the pots and peat by buying bare-root shrubs, trees, and perennials in winter
Download your guide to going peat-free
Peat-free stockists
Northern Ireland
B&Q: 100% peat-free in compost, plan to go peat-free in plants from 2026
Dobbies: 100% peat-free in bagged compost (but still sells peat-grown plants)
Potters Hill Plants, Hillsborough www.pottershillplants.com
New Leaf Composts/Natural World Products (peat-free compost manufacturer), Belfast www.newleafcompost.com
Papervale Trees Co Down www.papervaletrees.com
Sow Grateful Flower Farm Belfast www.sowgrateful.co.uk
Republic of Ireland
Coldblow Nursery (formerly Gortkelly Nursery) Co Offaly www.coldblownursery.com
Irish Fuchsia Nursery Co. Offaly irishfuchsia.ie
Rare Plants Ireland Dublin www.rareplantsireland.ie
Kilmurry Nursery Co Wexford www.kilmurrynursery.com (probably the largest & best known peat-free nursery in the ROI)
