UK: Greenwood Plants reaches 100% peat-free target

Accredited Supplier Greenwood Plants is delighted to announce that it is now growing 100% peat-free across all six of its nursery sites in the UK. The wholesale nursery committed to transitioning to become a 100% peat-free grower before the end of 2023 and is pleased to have achieved this goal ahead of schedule, in advance of anticipated industry regulation to prohibit the use of peat for commercial growers.

Greenwood has been running extensive trials of peat-free growing media since early 2022, exploring different types of growing media to use in its annual production of more than six million plants. The trials enabled the production team to adjust the composition to ensure that the structure, pH, and nutrient levels of the compost were consistent, and the irrigation programs were modified to suit the new compost composition.

“We are delighted to have met this demanding target which is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the G Team. We are huge advocates of sustainable growing, and passionately believe this is the responsible stance we need to take as one of the UK’s largest growers and importers of plants and trees“ says Managing Director, Melanie Asker.

“Our focus is now on working with our supply chain to ensure that any purchased stock is peat-free. We have several European and UK suppliers now growing plants for the new season in peat-free compost,” Melanie added.

On 20 November, Melanie was invited to speak as part of an Industry panel on commercial peat-free growing, at an industry event organized by the Royal Horticultural Society, at Lindley Hall. She spoke on the reality of transitioning a large commercial growing operation to peat-free, alongside garden designer Chris Young, Mike Burks from the Gardens Group, and Stephen Godfrey from Jiffy.

“As an industry, we need to come together to help each other, and embed peat-free as the British National standard of professional growing,” said Melanie.

Professor Alistair Griffiths, RHS Director of Science and Collections, said: “It’s always a big positive to see growers achieve peat-free status, and it’s a testament to the commitment of the team at Greenwood Plants that they have done this ahead of their target date. As one of the largest wholesale producers of plants in the country, their work to become peat-free will mean thousands of plants are now produced without the use of peat, helping safeguard our peatland habitats for the climate and nature.”

Greenwood is one of the leading peat-free growers in the UK, having recently won ‘Peat Free Grower of the Year’ at the 2023 HTA Awards. It continues to innovate and promote a circular economy, demonstrating sustainability leadership within the horticultural industry.