Garden Organic is joining forces with other organisations in support for an upcoming Ten Minute Rule Bill to ban the sale of bagged compost for amateur gardeners. The Ten Minute Rule Bill is scheduled to be introduced to Parliament by Theresa Villiers MP on the 16th of April.

“Despite confirming a ban would take place from 2024, there has been no new information on when this will happen, or how it will be rolled out. We’re very concerned it will be unlikely to happen in 2024. We also believe the ban on peat in the horticultural industry needs to be brought forward from 2026. Using peat in gardens destroys the planet and it simply isn’t necessary. Many compost manufacturers, retailers, gardeners and growers have shown it is perfectly possible to grow without peat, so we’re urging gardeners to take action now in their own gardens to protect wildlife habitats”, said Garden Organic Chief Executive, Fiona Taylor.

According to Garden Organic, when it comes to purchasing compost, gardeners need to:

Invest in their gardens and growing by buying the best you can afford.
Look for the Responsible Sourcing Scheme symbol which measures the compost’s environmental credentials to ensure it has been made ethically with minimal energy, water and pollution and from renewable sources.
Check potted plants, although the charity admits that clearer labelling on peat-containing products is desperately needed. Peat can be found in many pre-potted plants, mushrooms, leafy salads, and houseplants.
Make their own compost to reduce the quantity of bagged peat-free needed.

The charity Garden Organic develops organic growing understanding through research and practical application, sharing it with gardeners to implement at home. With 20,000 members, the charity remains at the forefront of organic growing, leading a movement of citizens keen to play their part in supporting the nature and biodiversity on their doorstep.

For more information on the campaign see Garden Organic’s For Peat Sake Campaign