Peat-Free Compost and Pelargoniums: Our Transition at Growing Crazy
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Transitioning to peat-free compost is one of the biggest changes currently happening in UK horticulture - but for specialist growers managing hundreds of different plants, the journey is not always straightforward.
At Growing Crazy, sustainability is something we take seriously, and we have been exploring peat-free growing for some time. We are already using peat-reduced composts, lowering the amount of peat used in our production while ensuring we continue to grow strong, healthy plants.
Environmental responsibility is also reflected in other areas of the nursery. We reuse and recycle as much plastic as possible in our production, and our mail order plants are sent using recyclable and compostable packaging materials wherever possible. Small changes like these all help reduce the environmental impact of running our specialist nursery.
As awareness around peat extraction has increased, moving towards peat-free growing has become an important step across the horticultural industry. However, for specialist growers like us, it is not always a simple transition.
Growing Over 700 Varieties of Pelargoniums
At Growing Crazy we hold a collection of over 700 varieties of Pelargoniums, ranging from historic cultivars to rare and unusual forms.
One of the fascinating things about Pelargoniums is just how different they can be in their growing preferences. Two varieties sitting next to each other on the same greenhouse bench can behave completely differently. One may thrive with plenty of water when in flower, while another variety beside it prefers to be kept much drier.
These differences don’t just apply to watering – they also affect how plants respond to different growing media and compost mixes.
This is one of the reasons why transitioning to peat-free compost for Pelargoniums can be more complex for specialist growers like ourselves.
Why Peat-Free Growing Can Be Challenging for Specialist Nurseries
For large commercial bedding plant producers, switching to peat-free compost can sometimes be more straightforward. When a nursery is producing thousands of the same variety, they can select plant varieties that perform particularly well in peat-free media and standardise their production around those varieties. Specialist growers operate very differently.
With hundreds of varieties in cultivation, each with slightly different needs, the growing medium has to work across a wide range of plants rather than being optimised for just one or two.
That means trialling compost mixes carefully to make sure they perform reliably and consistently across the collection.
Environmental Considerations
While the move away from peat is important, we also wanted to make sure that in solving one environmental issue we didn’t unintentionally contribute to others.
Some peat-free composts are known to require more frequent watering, which increases water use. Many also need additional fertiliser to achieve the same level of plant growth, potentially increasing the use of chemical inputs.
Another consideration is that many peat-free composts rely heavily on coir, a by-product of coconut processing. While coir can be a useful and renewable material, it is not sourced locally in the UK, meaning it has a larger transport footprint.
These were all factors we wanted to carefully consider before fully transitioning to peat-free growing.
Consistency in Peat-Free Compost
Consistency has also been a concern for many growers when using peat-free compost.
Peat-free mixes often include materials such as coir and composted green waste, which can vary depending on the source material and how it has been processed. This can lead to variations in structure, drainage, and nutrient availability.
Coir itself can also introduce particular pathogens that Pelargoniums are susceptible to if it is not properly processed. For specialist collections, consistency and reliability are essential.
Trialling Different Peat-Free Compost Mixes
We have trialled a number of peat-free composts from different manufacturers over a period of time, with mixed results.
We found many of the mixes required more frequent watering, as they tended to dry out faster than traditional peat-based composts. Almost all required additional fertiliser in order to produce the strong, healthy plants that we expect for our collection and for our customers.
Encouragingly, we are now working with a new professional compost supplier who produces a peat-free mix for us that is performing extremely well.
Our new compost mix uses high-quality coir that is carefully treated to significantly reduce the risk of pathogens. The mix also contains components designed to improve water retention, helping to reduce the increased watering that can sometimes be associated with peat-free growing.
At the same time, we have been exploring the use of more organic-based feeds to support plant growth and reduce reliance on chemical based fertilisers.
Results suggest that this new compost mix is performing as well as - and perhaps even better than - our previous peat-reduced compost.
Advice for Gardeners Growing Pelargoniums in Peat-Free Compost
For gardeners growing Pelargoniums at home, peat-free compost can work very well, but it may behave slightly differently to traditional compost. We have always advised growers to purchase the best quality compost they can afford and that advice is even more appropriate when it comes to peat free compost.
You may find that plants need more regular feeding, as peat-free mixes often contain fewer naturally available nutrients. It is also worth keeping an eye on watering, as some peat-free composts can dry out more quickly.
Once you become familiar with how the compost behaves, Pelargoniums grow extremely well in peat-free conditions.
Learning From the Wider Pelargonium Community
One of the most valuable aspects of this process has been the support and shared experience from the wider horticultural community.
We have benefited from advice and discussions with other Pelargonium growers, as well as support from organisations including the Pelargonium and Geranium Society (PAGS), the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), and fellow members of the Nursery Exhibitors Organisation (NEO).
The transition to peat-free growing is something that many growers are navigating together, sharing knowledge and experiences along the way.
Looking Ahead with Peat Free
Moving towards peat-free growing is not a simple switch, particularly for specialist nurseries like ourselves with large and diverse plant collections but it is an important step for the long-term sustainability of horticulture.
At Growing Crazy we will continue refining our growing methods and learning from experience to ensure that our Pelargoniums continue to thrive.
For our customers, the aim remains exactly the same: to grow strong, healthy plants that will flourish in your garden.
We will also continue sharing our experiences with peat-free growing on our blog as we learn more about what works best for Pelargoniums.
Royal Horticultural Society (RHS)
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/peat
Nursery Exhibitors Organisation (NEO)
https://nurseryexhibitors.co.uk/
The Pelargonium and Geranium Society (PAGS)