BAGGED UP AND READY TO GROW

Peat-free compost is making gardening more sustainable. Here Rob Smith unpacks the findings from a major trial and shares tips for getting the best from every bag

- Rob Smith

As gardeners, we are all making the transition to peat-free composts. Whether you have already made the switch or are just starting out, understanding how to get the best results is key. While we all want to be more sustainable, we also need reliable composts that work well for our plants. Recent trials carried out at Stocksbridge Technical Centre by Justin Davies, along with the help of Sophie and Charlotte, have shown that peat-free compost can vary significantly in quality, and how we use it will need to change.

Understanding compost standards: PAS 100 and the Compost Certification Scheme

In the UK, the British Standards Institution introduced the Publicly Available Specification 100 (PAS 100) to establish a benchmark for compost quality. This specification outlines the entire composting process, from raw material selection and production methods to quality control and laboratory testing, to ensure that certified composts are safe, reliable and effective. The aim of PAS 100 is to improve confidence in composted materials among end users by helping producers distinguish products that are safe, reliable, and high performers from those that are not.

Complementing PAS 100 is the Compost Certification Scheme (CCS), managed by Renewable Energy Assurance Limited (REAL). The CCS provides assurance to consumers, farmers, food producers and retailers that quality compost produced from composting processes is safe for human, animal and plant health.

While PAS 100 and the CCS are significant strides toward standardising compost quality, it is important to note that sticking to these standards is voluntary. There is currently no compulsory national standard for compost in the UK, leading to variability in the quality of peat-free composts available to gardeners.

The reality of peat-free compost quality: insights from recent trials