Results from in-depth research on peat-free compost from the UK's largest green waste composter are 'encouraging', according to principal lecturer at University of Lincoln, David Stainton.
Stainton has been testing products from Spalding's Bettaland nursery, including a top soil conditioner, for the past four years at Riseholme campus.
The research is looking at peat alternatives following a government announcement that all garden centres and DIY stores have eight years to cease trading peat-based products and switch to peat-free alternatives.
Shaun Dring, manager at Spalding's Bettaland nursery, said: "With an established reputation for offering consistent quality, across an unrivalled selection of readily available stock, we wanted to make sure our peat-free compost was reliable under test conditions.
"We are pleased, though not surprised, to have this confirmed by the University of Lincoln."
Stainton said: "The evidence we have to date about the products from Bettaland nursery is certainly very encouraging.
"The company has a very good understanding of the importance of the material used for peat-free compost. Shaun is a grower by trade and this has helped him to understand and contributed to Bettaland's success.
"He has the diligence and understanding of what the end product needs to deliver, as well as understanding the importance of growing in the green waste derived compost. With peat-free compost you have to go back to the beginning and start with the diligent sourcing of feedstock materials.”
Based at the heart of the food production of Britain, at Bettaland there is total control of the wide variety of feedstocks that go into the peat-free compost.
It is monitored at every stage, shredded, turned and mixed and finally graded to the required sized particles before bagging. This means it is high quality organic recycled peat-free compost and top soil conditioner compared to rival brands of peat-free products.
Stainton said that research done on peat has been happening since the 1950s but the testing of green waste derived compost was still in its infancy.
"We know how to manage peat as a growing medium and it is extremely stable. There are minimal nutrient levels in raw peat and we understand how it behaves. This stability means we are able to grow consistent high quality products,” he said.
"The problem we've got with green waste, is that is comes from a lot of different sources so there is inconsistency from the start. High quality management is the key to supplying a stable product for the end user."
Commercial extraction of peat leads to the destruction of peatlands, which are important for biodiversity and flood risk management.
Peatlands also act as important stores of carbon – because plants do not decompose completely, the carbon held within them becomes locked into the peat. When peat is extracted and used in gardening, the stored carbon is released as CO2.
Amateur horticulture accounts for 2 million m3 of peat consumption in the UK.
Bettaland's organic garden compost is peat-free, chemical-free and also free of artificial fertiliser.
Its new bulk purchasing and delivery within a 50-mile radius options mean even better value to customers.
