Moss Matters: peatlands, peat-free growing and the plants that connect them
Going peat-free is now part of everyday gardening, but getting good results can take some practice. For nine days, RHS Garden Rosemoor will bring together gardeners, growers, scientists, peatland experts and artists to explore peat-free growing and the world of mosses and peatlands. There will be talks, demonstrations, walks and hands-on activities, with plenty of opportunities to ask questions and find out what works in practice.
Find out how to choose a peat-free growing medium and what different products contain, as well as how watering, feeding and propagation can differ. You can also hear from professional growers and RHS teams about their experience of growing without peat.
Discover mosses
Mosses are easy to overlook, but take a closer look, and you’ll find a surprising variety of shapes, colours and textures.
At the centre of Moss Matters will be The Mossy Carpet, a participatory artwork by the Art and Energy Collective. Visitors can contribute to the work while exploring mosses, peatlands and the habitats they create.
You can also take the Moss Exploring Trail around Rosemoor. Look closely at the mosses growing on trees, rocks and the woodland floor, using hand lenses to see details that are easy to miss. Along the way, find out about sphagnum mosses and their role in forming peatlands. You don’t need to know the names of the mosses you find. Just take a closer look.
From bog to garden
Peatlands are important for carbon, water and wildlife. At Moss Matters, you can find out more about these habitats and the work being done to restore them.
The RHS is 100% peat-free in all its operations, and Rosemoor will be sharing what its teams have learnt from growing without peat.
You can also find out more about what peat-free growing means for your own garden, whether you’re new to it or have been growing this way for some time.
What’s on?
Across the nine days, there will be:
- Practical advice on growing peat-free, including choosing growing media, watering, feeding and propagation
- Talks and demonstrations from RHS specialists, professional growers and growing-media experts
- Information about what’s in different peat-free growing media
- Creative activities and the Mossy Carpet with the Art and Energy Collective
- Talks and discussions about peat-free horticulture and peatland restoration
- Moss walks and the self-guided Moss Exploring Trail
- Opportunities to look at mosses and sphagnum through hand lenses and microscopes
- Art, poetry, film and virtual reality exploring peatlands
- Opportunities to meet people working to restore and protect peatlands in the South West and beyond.
There will be a mix of drop-in activities and bookable talks and workshops, with something for families, beginners and more experienced gardeners.
Full programme and booking information coming soon.
