The RHS Transition to Peat-Free Fellowship

Currently the largest peat-free collaborative research project globally, this RHS-led fellowship brings together government, growers and growing media manufacturers to research and develop sustainable alternatives to aid the horticultural industry’s transition away from peat

Why are we doing this?

The transition to peat-free horticulture is a crucial step in protecting peatland habitats as critical carbon stores, homes for wildlife and sponge-like zones that reduce flood risk, and to unlock the green potential of the horticultural industry.

To ensure the transition is successful and sustainable, it is vital that we work with industry and government to research peat-free growing media – many of which are presently untapped resources – and share advice on best practice.

About the project

Aim

The five-year, collaborative Transition to Peat-free Fellowship began in 2022 as a co-funded partnership between the RHS, Defra and industry to research peat-free growing media and assist professional growers and gardeners with the move to peat-free horticulture. Research focusses on peat-free growing media solutions that are economically and environmentally sustainable, whilst also being practically viable in professional and home settings.

People

Dr Raghavendra Prasad was hired in autumn 2022 to lead this research as the RHS Transition to Peat-Free Fellow. Since June 2023 he has been supported by Nikki Barker, the RHS Peat-Free Transition Co-ordinator; providing advice and guidance to RHS suppliers and RHS Shows exhibitors in their transition to peat-free. The Esmée Fairbairn Foundation is supporting the work the RHS is doing on the peat-free transition by funding Claire Thorpe, RHS Peat-Free Campaign Manager, to work on communications for the project.

Dr Raghavendra Prasad leads the Transition to Peat-Free

Eight leading UK nurseries are collaborating in the project

Partners

Dr Prasad is currently working with eight large-scale UK growers to research peat-free growing media in commercial settings. These are Allensmore, The Farplants Group, Hillier, Hills Plants, Johnsons Nurseries, Lovania, Vitacress and Volmary; collectively producing around 143 million plants each year.

The Fellowship is supported by seven growing media manufacturers: Bulrush Horticulture, ICL, Jiffy, Klasmann-Deilmann, Levington Professional, Melcourt and Sinclair. These manufacturers are providing expertise, time and growing media for the experimental commercial trials.

What we’re doing

Trials

Areas of focus for the group include peat-free growing media trials for a wide range of ornamental plants, peat-free plug (young) plant production, peat-free solutions for plant groups considered to be tricky to grow peat-free such as ericaceous and carnivorous species, and developing growing evidence-based protocols for commercial settings.

Findings from these trials will be shared with the wider industry as well as the partner nurseries. They will also be used to provide advice for the UK’s 30 million gardeners, so that they too can join us in transitioning to peat-free.

Trials are being held at the eight partner nurseries and at RHS Wisley

Events

One of the ways in which we disseminate our research is by hosting workshops for growers. These day-long events bring together experts from across the industry to share advice on growing peat-free, alongside insights from the Fellowship research. Resources from previous workshops are available online, and you can find the latest workshop dates here.

Workshop information

Industry survey

One of the first projects for the Fellowship was to undertake an industry-wide baseline survey to understand the status of peat-free horticulture in the UK and identify key challenges to the transition. The RHS will continue to work with industry to ensure any new challenges are also being addressed as they arise.

From the results of the survey, the RHS was able to produce a list of growers that are already 100% peat-free. This list is regularly updated as more growers are verified as being completely peat-free in their production system.

Browse the peat-free growers list

Read the survey report

Trudy Harrison, Environment Minister at the time of the creation of the Transition to Peat-Free Fellowship, said:

“We are pleased to part-fund this ambitious project, which will develop peat-free alternatives to protect nature, and create green jobs. Ahead of our future phase-out of peat, this project will support the Government and society to keep peat healthy and in the ground where it belongs. Healthy peatland will lock up carbon, strengthen our resilience to drought, and serve as a powerful nature-based solution to climate change.”

Get in touch

If you would like to ask for advice on your transition to peat-free, or arrange a call or nursery visit, you can get in touch with the RHS Transition to Peat-Free Fellowship team here.

Email us

Partners in the Transition to Peat-Free fellowship

Royal Horticultural Society

Allensmore Nurseries Ltd

DEFRA

Hillier Nurseries

Hills Plants

Johnsons Nurseries

Lovania

The Farplants Group

Vitacress

Volmary

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.