The Compost Heap

Peat - for years, every gardener's first choice for mulching and for potting and seed composts - is a rapidly dwindling natural resource and wildlife habitat. Kew largely suspended the use of peat in 1989, even though peat substitutes were then in their infancy.

Today, both Kew Gardens and Wakehurst Place have extensive composting programmes. Kew mixes the 10,000 cubic metres of waste plant material it generates every year with horse manure from some rather distinguished stables: the Royal Horse Artillery and the Wardens of Windsor Great Park. After watering and turning through a 10-12 week cycle, it produces 2,000 cubic metres of compost for use throughout the Gardens.

Domestically, rather than using peat, well rotted farmyard or stable manure is an excellent soil conditioner and fertiliser; and mushroom compost is a good substitute. Peat-free soil improvers and potting composts are readily available, while bark chippings and coconut products make good mulches. Recycling garden debris and organic kitchen waste in domestic compost-makers is an excellent plan, not only good for the garden, but relieving pressure on landfill sites.

There is a viewing platform in the Pinetum, close to the Lake, together with examples of how home composting can improve garden soil and reduce pressure on landfill sites - a worthy effort.

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Wakehurst Place Compost Corner

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