Peat Free Compost

Benefits of Peat Free Compost

• Reduces the need for inorganic fertilisers - Peat free compost is a valuable organic source of the nutrients commonly found in inorganic fertilisers. Nitrogen, phosphate, potash, magnesium and sulphur (as well as trace elements) all occur naturally in compost, in quantities that can be extremely valuable.
• Can increase yield - modern plants and crops need to establish rapidly in order to thrive. To do this, they depend on very high levels of organic matter in the soil. Tests prove that adding fertiliser is no substitute for this organic matter. Peat free compost not only provides fertilisation, it is high in organic matter.
• Improves soil structure - it's been proven that peat free compost improves the aggregate strength of soil. It also allows root systems to penetrate more easily, enabling them to find nutrients and water more effectively. Adding peat free compost improves workability too, and makes soil less likely to compact under heavy farm machinery - meaning it can be used more frequently.
• Raises water retention capacity - soil rich in compost absorbs and retains water better. This means it needs less irrigation, which reduces overall consumption.
• Reduces soil erosion - wind and rain can erode soil, particularly when it contains low levels of organic matter. Peat free compost can be applied generally to solve this problem, or deployed in areas of particular concern.
• Contains valuable micro-organisms - micro-organisms do three good things to soil. Feeding off the organic matter in peat free compost, and teaming up with the micro-organisms already present in the soil to which they've been added, they release polysaccarids and humic substances that help improve soil structure. They release nutrients in organic matter and make it available to plants and crop to use as food. They can suppress soil bourne plant pathogens.
• Reduces cost - peat free compost improves soil quality which leads to better plants and crops that need less irrigating, that are easier to cultivate and need less fertilising. It is difficult to put a finite cost on this benefit but growers and horticulturists definitely notice the difference.