Wales-based Seoint Nurseries is one of the first commercial growers that embraced peat-free. And after 14 years of growing their P9 peat free, they are now propagating in their new peat-free plug products. According to Neil Alcock, Managing Director at the company, it is a great achievement that will give them a market advantage as the use of peat is due to be banned in the UK by 2030. Availability of these products will start from week 8 with Euonymus, then week 12 for their Salvia, Coprosma, Hebe, and Escallonia plug ranges. "All our P9 will be 100% peat free from later in 2024 once our peat-based plugs sell through the system."
With peat due to be banned in the UK by 2030, Alcock believes that working well ahead of this date is important. "Many retail supply chains are already banning the use of even small amounts of peat in their products."
So, two years ago, they decided to start trialing peat free plug products and not without any hurdles. "Early versions of the peat free plugs did not work well, and we experienced many losses; it has taken 2 years to get it right, and now we use one of Fertil and one of Jiffy."
And Alcock is very pleased with the results. "Our new propagation plugs are performing very well, with quick rooting and good levels of nutrition." Therefore, they decided to propagate 100% in peat free plugs. There is a certain amount of plugs produced in late 2023 that still have some peat in; this will sell through during this season, and once sold, we will be 100% peat free."
"We hope that being amongst the first in the UK to propagate 100% peat free it will give us a market advantage. And so far, there is a positive reaction from all our customers, who are impressed with our commitment to growing peat free."
Seiont Nurseries ships its plugs across the UK and Europe, but over the last few years, its exports to Europe decreased due to Brexit, and with these new peat free plugs, Alcock expects them to increase again. "Our Peat Free plug plants will be available to all our EU customers; we have some good orders already for Holland, France, and Italy."
For more information:
Seiont Nurseries
Neil Alcock
neil@seiontnurseries.com
www.seiontnurseries.com