Peat versus peat-free update
Good start, but peat-free needs more watering, says Garry
REGULAR readers will know that in April I started a simple trial of peat-free compost by growing potatoes in containers, half with peat and half with peat free.
This is not a scientific study, but a spur of the moment idea when I found myself with leftover seed potatoes after planting out a border.
So on April 23 I planted 12 containers of potatoes — six in peat compost and six in peat-free using Westland’s New Horizon Veg compost
Most bags had two seed potatoes in each but some only had one as I was interested to see if more space would benefit the crop. No fertiliser was used at planting, but I will feed later in the cycle.
Five weeks later, on May 29, all of the containers were showing good growth, both with peat and without. The month of May had been one of the wettest I could remember, which no doubt helped to give the plants a good start.
Growth appeared to be about the same between both compost types, but one thing that I noticed was the peat soil looked darker than peat-free and on inspection (putting my hand into the soil), I noted that the peat was damp but peatfree less so.
This was the case across all the containers and as they are placed alongside each other they would have got equal amounts of water.
Therefore the first conclusion is that the peat-free will need more watering as it’s water retention, certainly in this case, appeared not to be equal to peat. That does not detract from its viability, as the crops are looking good, but simply means we have to learn different ways of working with this material. There was no mention of needing a different watering regime among the details and planting info on the peat-free bag.
I think those buying peat-free should be given information about how the product should be used in comparison to how they would use peat and that should be clearly marked on the bag.
The aim of most peat-free composts is to replicate as best possible the core properties of peat, as that is what the customer is looking for. I wonder if the producers are less keen to explain any different requirements needed for peatfree when their aim is to argue that it is the equal.
I will now start my feeding regime, watering the plants with a liquid tomato feed every two weeks. The next report will be on the final cropping and assessment of quality, size and volume of the potatoes. I can’t wait!
“Pack info could be more helpful for new users”