While one aspect of the peat-free debate has sparked fierce argument, surprisingly little rigorous science exists to settle it. "Is peat-free growing media really more 'sustainable' than using peat?
Alexander Sentinella is Growing Media Europe director of science, and his new study provides the first scientifically grounded dataset on the environmental impact of the main raw materials used in growing media in Europe. His main finding is that there is no single “sustainable” ingredient.
He talks in detail about his research, developed with Wageningen University & Research and published in the Journal of Cleaner Production.
In an age where nuance and scientific endeavour have been often downgraded, Sentinella explains that a reduction in peat content in growing media might not always mean an overall drop in carbon emissions.
He says yield and plant growth quality matters just as much as the medium itself and a that a whole life, holistic approach is needed to assess environmental benefits.
Sentinella adds that more research is needed to integrate the performance of many different kinds of plants in peat-free to give a more complete picture, and how valuable it would be for there to be more sharing of trial data being carried out by growers across the UK.
His work is set to reach wider horticultural audiences this autumn. He will speak at the GB Poinsettia Association Conference on 19 November as well as the RHS Sustainable Horticulture and Peat-Free Conference on 26 November.
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