Peat has played a vital role in UK horticulture for decades, prized for its reliability and performance. But as environmental costs become impossible to ignore, its continued use is under urgent review, raising tough questions about tradition, sustainability, and the future of growing media.
Peat has long been a cornerstone of horticulture, prized for its ability to retain moisture, promote aeration, and maintain sterility. However, as environmental awareness has grown, so has the controversy around peat extraction. This article traces the history of peat use in horticulture, the emergence of environmental concerns, and how the industry is evolving in response to ecological and regulatory pressures.
Why Peat Became the Go-To Growing Medium in Europe
Peat’s widespread adoption in European horticulture began in the early 20th century, when its unique properties—high organic content, excellent moisture retention, and reliable performance— made it an ideal growing medium. Countries like Ireland, with abundant peat reserves, became key suppliers to the UK and much of Europe.
As demand for mass-produced plants and flowers grew, particularly post-World War II, peat extraction accelerated to meet the needs of commercial nurseries and greenhouses. By the mid-20th century, peat was firmly integrated into horticulture, offering consistent results that growers could depend on.
Environmental Alarm Bells
In the UK, the 1970s marked a turning point. Environmental campaigners began raising alarms over the destruction of peat bogs—precious ecosystems that support biodiversity and regulate water systems. Groups such as Friends of the Earth and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) spearheaded campaigns highlighting the damage caused by extraction.
At the time, the debate focused on habitat loss and hydrological disruption. The full climate significance of peat bogs—as long-term carbon sinks—had yet to enter mainstream understanding.
Horticulture’s Early Defence
As pressure mounted, the horticultural industry responded with a series of justifications:
• Renewability: Peat was often described as renewable, though this ignored the fact that peatlands take centuries to form.
• Quality and Consistency: Peat’s consistency in retaining moisture and nutrients made it highly reliable for plant growth, which was especially valuable in large-scale commercial horticulture where uniformity was crucial.
• Lack of Alternatives: At the time, suitable alternatives to peat were not as well developed, leading to a reliance on peat in growing media.
Another key defence used by the horticultural industry in the early days was the argument that the volume of peat used in horticulture was small compared to its much larger use in energy production. In countries like Ireland, peat had long been a significant fuel source for power generation. The extraction required for energy production far outstripped that used for horticultural purposes, and early defenders of peat often downplayed the environmental concerns around its use in gardening by focusing on the larger-scale environmental impacts associated with peat used in power generation. While this comparison was made to shift attention away from horticultural peat use, it failed to address the long-term sustainability issues and broader ecological concerns associated with the practice.
While popular in the short term, this defence ultimately did not account for the larger environmental picture, particularly the role of peat bogs as fragile ecosystems and carbon stores, which are increasingly recognised today for their importance in climate regulation.
A Shift in Thinking
Over time, European attitudes began to shift. Scientific studies increasingly highlighted peatlands’ role in storing carbon and regulating the climate. As the degradation of these landscapes contributed to greenhouse gas emissions, governments and the EU began to act.
At the same time, alternative growing media—coconut coir, composted bark, green waste—gained ground. Driven by both innovation and consumer demand for sustainability, major retailers and garden centres began phasing in peat-free options.
The Pressure Mounts
Today, peat use in horticulture faces scrutiny from all sides:
• Climate Change: Damaged peatlands release large amounts of CO, making them a focus in efforts to cut emissions.
• Sustainability-Minded Consumers: Buyers are increasingly choosing products that reflect environmental values, prompting retailers to shift away from peat and align with customers’ values.
• Government Regulations: In the UK, legislation is being introduced to phase out peat use, starting with the hobby gardening market and extending to commercial horticulture by 2030—part of a broader effort to protect peatlands and curb carbon emissions.
Looking Ahead
Peat’s role in horticulture is increasingly at odds with the environmental realities of our time. While its benefits for plant growth are well documented, the ecological costs are becoming impossible to ignore. Europe’s push toward peat-free growing—fuelled by regulation, innovation, and public pressure—signals a broader transformation.
As the debate continues, horticulture is being called to balance productivity with planetary stewardship, turning a long-standing controversy into an opportunity for change.
This article was first published in the May 2025 issue of FloraCulture International. Click, and read more about the peat debate.
