What's the Deal with Peat?
Peat forms over thousands of years in waterlogged, low-oxygen environments like bogs and fens.
It’s composed of partially decomposed plant matter — mostly sphagnum moss — and acts as one of the world’s most powerful carbon stores¹.
In the UK, peatlands cover around 3 million hectares, including large areas here in Somerset.
Why Has It Been Used in Gardening?
Peat has long been prized by gardeners for its moisture-holding and nutrient-retaining qualities. It’s lightweight, uniform, and easy to work with — which made it a popular base for compost mixes used in homes, nurseries, and garden centres².
Why Should We Move Away from Using Peat?
While peat is useful in horticulture, its extraction causes significant environmental harm:
Carbon Storage
Peatlands store more carbon than all the world’s forests combined. When dug up, they release that carbon into the atmosphere, fuelling climate change³.
Biodiversity
Peat bogs support rare wildlife — from dragonflies to specialist mosses. Extraction destroys these habitats⁴.
Flood Control
Healthy peatlands act like giant sponges, soaking up rainfall and helping to reduce flooding downstream⁵.
Peatlands & the Somerset Levels
Here in Somerset, peat cutting has shaped the landscape for centuries — particularly across the Somerset Levels and Moors. Historically dug for fuel and horticulture, these wetlands were heavily drained and harvested throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.
Today, places like Shapwick Heath and Westhay Moor are being restored through peatland rewetting and conservation efforts. Supporting peat-free gardening helps protect these landscapes for future generations⁶.
The UK's Stance on Peat Use
While the UK government originally planned to ban the sale of peat to amateur gardeners by 2024, this has now been delayed, with a full ban expected by 2030⁷.
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IUCN UK Peatland Programme – Why Peatlands Matter
Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) – Peat-Free Growing
DEFRA – England Peat Action Plan
The Wildlife Trusts – Peat Campaign
Natural England – Peatland Restoration Implementation Plan
Somerset Wildlife Trust – Peatland Restoration Projects
DEFRA – Consultation on Ending the Retail Sale of Peat in Horticulture
Our Pledge
At The Black Thistle, we aim to be as peat-free as possible when buying plants.
We stock peat-free soil blends from sustainable suppliers and offer soil by weight to reduce plastic and waste. Choosing peat-free means greener gardening — and a healthier future for Somerset’s wild spaces.
