Peat has traditionally been used in compost because it contains nutrients and retains water brilliantly – unless specifically labelled peat-free, a bag of compost is likely to be made up of at least 70% of it. However, from 2024, peat will be banned from retail all-purpose compost and potting soil because its use is so detrimental to the environment.
In the past, peat-free compost has been of questionable quality, but with the 2024 ban looming, mainstream compost manufacturers have been investing heavily in the development of viable peat-free alternatives. We look at the suggested use, composition, cost and bag sizes of the best peat-free composts to buy in the UK, all of which are available for delivery from Amazon, B&Q and others.
Quick List - Top Peat-Free Composts
Dalefoot
A Fine Compost Made Entirely in the UK, With Added Wool for Water Retention
Natural Grower
A Conscious, Organic Choice Containing By-Products From a UK-Based Renewable Energy Plant
Melcourt
Green-Waste-Free Compost Endorsed by the Royal Horticultural Society
Homebase
A Budget-Friendly, Multipurpose Option for Veg and Flowers
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Seed compost contains a suitably low level of slow-release nutrients for newly grown seedlings, a level sometimes called John Innes 1 (John Innes 2 is used for potting on young plants and 3, which has the most nutrients, for the final potting up). Seed compost can be used for seeds, rooted cuttings and for potting seedlings that are big enough to handle by the leaf tips.
It is usually shredded more finely so that developing shoots and roots aren't blocked or misshapen. However, the increased use of wood fibre instead of peat has resulted in gardeners often needing to sieve even compost labelled as 'seed compost' before sowing.
Compost designed for pots and hanging baskets has extra water-retaining features, so it releases water slowly when plants require moisture. Most have controlled nutrient release too. Alternatively, you can add water-retaining gel/crystals and slow-release nutrient pellets to multipurpose compost to use in hanging baskets.
Multipurpose compost tends to have a more rugged texture (as it is processed less to keep costs down), meaning it is suitable for potting on, planting out, containers and borders. It has a level of nutrients suitable for mature plants but will typically need supplementing with additional feed after about 6 weeks.
Take a look at our suggestions for the best hanging baskets and outdoor plant pots.
Green waste is the term for garden and agricultural waste (plant cuttings, grass clippings, seed husks, stalks etc.) which is industrially composted by councils and the farming industry. Whilst being nutrient-dense and water-retaining, this green waste often suffers from contamination – think how many stray plastic bags and wrappers you see discarded in nature.
Finding shredded plastic (leading to microplastics after further degradation) is a real risk when you choose compost containing green waste. As such, some composts are labelled specifically as free from green waste. Some brands will also state that their agricultural by-products are from a single, known source, rather than relying on public garden waste bin collections or from other multiple sites.
Shredded wood, timber pulp and fine bark chippings are often used to bulk out compost as they improve drainage and keep the pH low. Look for those which are labelled as by-products of sustainably managed British forests or which are FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) endorsed.
Overly-large fragments of wood can inhibit seed and seedling growth, distorting root formation and reducing germination rate, so do read reviews before buying or opt for more finely-milled seed compost.
Coconut coir (the hairy fibre from coconut husks) retains water well and also ensures that air pockets remain in the compost, aiding healthy root growth. Coir is nutrient-poor, however, so should not dominate the compost mixture.
Coir is a by-product of coconut farming, but removing the husk fibres from the shell requires soaking in water – yet coconuts are predominantly farmed in places where fresh water is scarce. If soaked in saltwater, the coir must be heavily rinsed before being added to gardening products. The large carbon footprint of overseas transportation adds to the environmental concerns that some have about coir.
For those who value environmental credentials highly when selecting a growing medium, there is now completely traceable compost available. This is made with locally farmed UK produce, such as wool, bracken and maize. These options are predictably more expensive, but worth it if supporting UK businesses and choosing sustainable products are important to you.
If you fancy making your own compost (which then needs mixing with dry sand), you'll need a suitable compost bin.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Dalefoot Peat-Free Wool Compost for Seeds|12 Litres | ![]() | A Fine Compost Made Entirely in the UK, With Added Wool for Water Retention | |
2 | Natural Grower Natural Peat Free Compost For Organic Growers|50 Litres | ![]() | A Conscious, Organic Choice Containing By-Products From a UK-Based Renewable Energy Plant | |
3 | Melcourt SylvaGrow Peat Free Multipurpose Compost|50 Litres | ![]() | Green-Waste-Free Compost Endorsed by the Royal Horticultural Society | |
4 | Homebase Peat Free Multi-Purpose Compost|50 Litres | ![]() | A Budget-Friendly, Multipurpose Option for Veg and Flowers | |
5 | Fertile Fibre Peat Free Organic Seed Compost|35 Litres | ![]() | A Which? Best Buy That Speeds Up Seed and Cutting Growth | |
6 | Westland New Horizon All Plant Compost |10 Litres | ![]() | Triple-Formula Peat-Free Compost With Zero Green Waste | |
7 | Bathgate Peat Free Champions Blend Multi Purpose Compost|50 Litres | ![]() | Ultra-Fine Premium Compost With Added Seaweed and Volcanic Rock Dust | |
8 | Miracle-Gro® Peat Free Premium Moisture Control Compost for Pots & Baskets|40 Litres | ![]() | With Exclusive Aquacoir® That Stores and Releases Water When Needed | |
9 | Rocket Gro Peat FreeMulti Purpose Potting Compost|50 Litres | ![]() | 100% British Peat-Free, Ultra-Fine Compost Made in Somerset | |
10 | My Happy Garden Peat Free Compost|40 Litres | ![]() | Finely Textured Compost That's Safe to Use Around Kids and Pets |
This unusual-sounding wool and bracken compost is made on a traditional farm in the Lake District using the fleece from sheep in the National Park. Like the peat it replaces, wool has excellent water retention qualities – just think how heavy a saturated woollen garment is after handwashing it!
As a seed compost, the particle size is small enough for shoots to push aside and the nutrients from the decomposed bracken gently sustains new growth. Newer bags of this compost will include additions of nutritious comfrey. The 12-litre bags are handily 'carry size', and though the price point is higher, you are paying for a completely traceable and sustainable UK product.
Natural Grower's organic compost is made in the UK from the by-products of a renewable energy plant, including only locally grown crops such as maize. The compost holds moisture well (despite being peat-free) and is well suited to hanging baskets and indoor plants, as well as seed sowing.
Certified by both the Soil Association and the Vegan Society, this is a fully traceable product that you can use with confidence. It is a new product, but the company's maize-based, fully natural liquid fertilizer has become a popular choice amongst organic gardeners – and this compost looks set to follow in its footsteps.
SylvaGrow prides itself on its eco-credentials. It blends coconut coir (from a single, traceable source), finely milled bark and wood fibre from sustainably managed British forests, plus nutrients to support growth for 4-6 weeks.
It does not include green waste, so there is no danger of finding plastic fragments within. Suitable for potting on, planting out, or use as a grow bag, this professional-quality compost is impressively RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) approved, too.
This Homebase compost is a 2021 Which? Best Buy and is a pleasingly cost-effective option for your garden. As a multipurpose compost, it can be used throughout your plot, for both flowers and for vegetable growing.
The affordable compost contains composted bark, coconut coir and West+ (this is a patented FSC wood fibre and fertiliser) nutrients to support growth for six weeks. For those indoor jobs, a houseplant version of this peat-free compost is also available.
The added vermiculite helps guard against over-watering, as the particles will soak up excess moisture preventing waterlogging. The coir retains water so effectively that the compost can seem dry on top when it is in fact moist below the surface, so do check before watering, when using this product.
The bag is proudly labelled 'no green waste' so plastic-fibre contamination will not be an issue with this product. It is an ideal compost for growing seeds and for use in containers. Westland's Bio3 promise is to outperform the peat-containing composts we've all been used to.
This organic Soil Association-approved compost is supplemented by seaweed, volcanic ash and Envii Foundation, a beneficial mix of bacteria and fungi which acts like a probiotic for the soil.
Unfortunately, there is not a lot of information about the main content of this mix, however, it is very fine so there is no need to sieve it before sowing seeds. It is suitable for growing both ornamental flowers and edible fruit and vegetable crops, and has received great feedback from tomato growers.
Miracle-Gro's compost with moisture control is comprised of wood fibre, bark pieces, coconut coir and composted green waste. The exclusive Aquacoir® formula stores excess water and releases it when needed, to keep hard-to-water pots, containers and hanging baskets properly hydrated.
This compost is suitable for all mature plants and will feed them reliably for three months. The inclusion of green waste has moved this option further down our ranking, as the risk of plastic-waste contamination is an important consideration.
Both organic and Soil Association approved, Rocket Gro's compost is made in Somerset from green waste and their own mix of soil improver. It is formulated with 100% British components too, meaning that nothing is imported from overseas.
Nutrients are released by this compost for three months, with good results when used in pots, containers, window boxes and hanging baskets. It is further down our list as some issues have been reported with contamination of the product by plastic, due to the inclusion of green waste.
This compost is made from a mixture of predominantly wood fibre, bark and coconut coir, plus nutrients which slowly release for three months. It is a multipurpose compost and thus useful for many garden jobs, including pots, beds and borders.
It is also labelled as pet-safe and child-friendly for your peace of mind. However, as it doesn't specify whether or not green waste is included, there could be a risk of it containing shredded plastic.
Peat grows at an excruciatingly slow rate of 1 mm per year in wetland bogs, which are only found on 3% of the Earth's surface. Despite this, they store 1/3 of the world's soil carbon, meaning it is vital to protect peatlands in the fight against climate change.
Peat-containing compost – often labelled as multipurpose compost or soil improver – can be made of up to 70% peat, which itself is essentially decayed organic material i.e. the partially decomposed remains of plants and animals. Peat-free composts are made up of recycled garden materials, coir, wood fibre and composted bark.
No. 1: Dalefoot| Peat-Free Wool Compost for Seeds|12 Litres
No. 2: Natural Grower|Natural Peat Free Compost For Organic Growers|50 Litres
No. 3: Melcourt|SylvaGrow Peat Free Multipurpose Compost|50 Litres
No. 4: Homebase |Peat Free Multi-Purpose Compost|50 Litres
No. 5: Fertile Fibre|Peat Free Organic Seed Compost|35 Litres
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