The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is deepening its commitment to supporting the horticultural industry to grow peat-free via a new PhD focused on advancing peat-free plug plant production systems.
Following a survey of growers and garden centres in 2023, which cited limited availability of peat-free plant plugs as a barrier, the RHS is setting out to aid the sector’s transition to peat-free by providing solutions to current gaps in the UK’s peat-free plug and young plant production techniques, as well as providing clarity on which plug plants are already available peat-free.
The new PhD is a collaboration between the RHS, the Centre for Agroecology Water and Resilience, Coventry University, plug plant growers and growing media manufacturers.
The sensitivity of young plants means they can generally be more challenging to grow, making them a crucial part of the supply chain to get right. Hundreds of UK nurseries depend on a supply of healthy plug plants provided by specialist growers and it is hoped that recommendations from this project will help those growers to optimize their practices.
In addition to this new project, the RHS recently surveyed plug plant producers in the UK. Results from the survey, which was completed by half of the UK’s major plug plant producers, showed that 50% of respondents will be peat free in either under a year or 1-2 years while 40% expect to be peat free in 3-5 years.
Among important drivers listed for plug producers going peat-free were a desire to make the change before any horticultural trade ban, as well as customer demand, with respondents stating that requests for peat-free plugs have increased. Cost and concerns around performance of peat-free growing media were named as the main barriers currently preventing producers from transitioning.
Bruce Harnett, Managing Director of Kernock Park Plants in Cornwall, said: “We are very happy to report that all Kernock Park Plants’ production from 2025 onwards will be in 100% peat-free media. Whilst there remain some challenges with occasional crops, we have made great progress over the past five years in the transition towards peat-free status, re-learning all the critical stages of propagation and crop management that had become second nature with peat-based substrates. Our efforts have shown that with a little patience and willingness to learn it is absolutely possible to make the shift to peat-free growing.”
Dr Mark Gush, RHS Head of Environmental Horticulture, said: “Peat-free plug plant production has proven to be a specific challenge as the industry transitions away from the use of peat. Our new PhD, focused on advancing peat-free production systems, is not only timely but essential, as it addresses a critical challenge faced by growers. With a large majority of UK plug plant producers already anticipating the shift, this research will address a recognized knowledge gap and help unlock the complete transition to peat-free horticulture, ensuring that our industry can continue to thrive while protecting our precious peatlands for current and future generations.”
To find out more about how the RHS is supporting the transition to peat-free horticulture please visit:www.rhs.org.uk/science/transition-to-peat-free
