Abstract
In order to understand how to reduce the amount of peat used in growing media cost-effectively in the UK, experiences from around the world might be beneficially adapted and implemented to facilitate change within the UK growing media industry. This research project will investigate the composition of the growing media industry in the principal growing media using countries. This will then be compared to the UK in terms of materials used as well as peat in media for amateur, professional and the public sector for plant growing and whether the proportions of the materials being used are changing over time. The demand for alternative materials to peat may become more competitive and trends or constraints in their supply will be evaluated. This project will look at the growing media industries within certain European countries such as Germany, The Netherlands and France, North America, Australia and New Zealand in comparison with the UK. Data will be sought from published information as well as from growing media manufacturers operating within each area. Some of these countries have little in the way of peat reserves themselves, others are moving away from the use of peat and experiences from countries in both situations will be appraised. Volumes and proportions of materials used will be gathered and performance information sought. Knowledge of the development of technically demanding peat free media such as for ericaceous plants will be sought and the use of other materials in the mushroom growing industry investigated in Eastern Europe and the USA, for example. Analysis of the data gathered from other countries, when compared with the UK, will highlight ways the UK can reduce peat usage. The technical viability and cost effectiveness of the options will be evaluated.
United Kingdom