Peat-free case studies: Chew Valley Trees
Chew Valley Trees share their peat-free journey
Have you made the transition to peat-free? If you’d like to share your story to help and inspire other growers, please get in touch.
Many growers and nurseries in the UK are already 100% peat-free, or are well on their way. Chew Valley Trees have shared their journey with us to help other growers learn about the issues they faced along the way and the solutions they found.
So how did Chew Valley Trees do it, what motivated them, and how did they overcome challenges to reach peat-free success?
Pyrus calleryana ‘Chanticleer’ in 15L pots
Acer rubrum ‘Fairview Flame’ in 70L pots
Growing peat-free – in conversation with David Scarth, Director
Why did you decide to go peat-free, and how long did it take to transition?
There were problems with the supply of peat in 2011 and 2012 due to harvesting problems in Ireland. This, combined with machinery issues, meant our normal supplier was unable to provide us with any
As a last resort, we reluctantly decided to try and mix our own from the basic ingredients. It was suggested to us at this point that while we were mixing our own, it would be the ideal opportunity for us to trial the Melcourt Sylvamix Nursery Stock for our potting requirements. We were told that it was an excellent growing media for long-term crops owing to its inherent structural stability.
The mix-it-yourself didn’t work very well, but the Melcourt Sylvamix did, and we have used it ever since.
Were customers asking you for peat-free plants?
Not at the time (2012), but I think the National Trust were asking about it. Since then, it has been mentioned by local authority buyers, but I’m not sure if anyone other than the National Trust has insisted on it. The general public and landscapers have been more focused on the price and quality of the finished product.
Betula pendula in 30L pots...
...and in 130L pots
No; at the time I think Melcourt might have been the only supplier who could offer a pre-trialled consistent product with continuity of supply.
How easy was it to transition to fully peat-free once you started?
We didn’t experience any problems during the transition.
What were the different feed and irrigation needs when growing peat-free, and any other changes to production?
None really. The peat-based compost we used had a controlled-release fertiliser mixed in, and so does the Sylvamix we now use. It is difficult to tell if we use less water for irrigation, as we now have more extensive production than we did when we started in 2012. The compost surface at the top of the pots is certainly drier, which is an advantage.
We think overall we get a better root structure and a better plant than we did with peat-based compost. Peat-free compost doesn’t get rid of weeds or moss or liverwort on the pot surface, but we think it does reduce it.
A
There is an adverse visual effect of fungal fruiting bodies appearing on the pot surface. It can look alarming to customers, but this is a natural occurrence with the bark and does not affect the tree’s health. We have been assured by Melcourt that these fungi are harmless to plants and people!
