MADAM - It’s that time of year when we all get bitten by the gardening bug. Sunny days are here again, racks of plants and stacks of compost are displayed outside supermarkets. We want to add life and colour to our gardens and patios by filling beds, baskets and tubs with beautiful flowers.

But nearly all those bags of compost contain peat. And when we use peat we destroy a unique natural habitat as well as contributing to climate change. That’s why Monty Don said recently on Twitter: “If you are a gardener or nursery do not use peat. Ever. If you are a garden centre – stop selling peat products right now!”

Peat takes millions of years to form. It consists of part-decayed plants and locks in enormous amounts of carbon. Peatland habitats support bog mosses and carnivorous plants as well as rare insects and birds. They also help absorb excess rainfall and prevent flooding.

If you worry about how well your plants will grow – don’t. All National Trust gardens are peat-free. Peat-free Japanese maple grower Hippopottering Nurseries won a gold medal at 2019’s Chelsea Flower Show. Even the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew don’t use peat.

So please ditch the peat this year. Some supermarkets and DIY stores sell own brand peat-free compost. You can find quality brands in garden centres and online too.

To find out more search online for #peatfree. I have also started a UK Government and Parliament petition and this can be found at: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/263362

Yours sincerely

Mark Binnersley

Norton

Stourbridge