Why you should switch to organic and peat-free gardening with Natural Grower

More and more people are growing organically and peat-free, whether it is to produce fruit and vegetables or to grow flowers. So, why is organic and peat-free gardening better for you and for the environment? Here, Natural Grower give us the lowdown.

Supporting the ecosystem in our soil

The soil beneath our feet is alive with organisms that need nurturing and feeding. They, in turn, help us to create healthy soil and the perfect environment in which plants can thrive. We can support them by adding organic matter like compost or soil conditioner to the soil. The organisms break down the organic matter and release the nutrients back into the soil for the plants to absorb. Bacteria, protozoa, nematodes and mites all help by releasing nitrogen and nutrients into the soil. Fungi grow as long threads, or strands, helping to aerate the soil and unlock minerals and nutrients around the roots of plants. Finally, earthworms make castings that are 50% higher in organic matter than the soil around them, making nutrients more available for the plants. They also help to aerate the soil by breaking up compacted ground.

Carbon capture

Did you know that soil holds up to three times as much carbon as the atmosphere, with half of that in the first foot of the soil? By nurturing our soil with organic matter, we are helping to create natural storage sinks for atmospheric carbon. Peat bogs absorb and store vast amounts of carbon. As the peat is dug out, it releases carbon dioxide into the environment. With up to 80% of peatland habitats in the UK damaged, the move away from using peat as an organic matter is vital. Our peat-free compost and our soil conditioner are sustainable alternatives to using peat.

Nutrient-rich food

Organically grown food has been shown to contain higher levels of vitamins and minerals than food that has been grown using chemicals. When you harvest your fruit and vegetables, you will be able to eat them knowing they are free from chemicals and full of goodness.

Organic feeds provide long-term benefits and ultimately save you money

Chemicals give a temporary boost to the plant but provide no long-term benefits to the plant or the soil. Organic feeds provide plants with all the nutrients they require while supporting the ecosystem in the soil. Whether you use a liquid feed like our Natural Fertiliser or a mulch like our Plant Feed, you will be feeding your plants and your soil. Over time, the health of your soil will naturally improve, creating a sustainable environment that doesn’t require any chemical fertilisers and costing you less in the long run.

The Natural Grower range of peat-free compost and fertiliser are all certified organic by the Soil Association, biodynamic by the Biodynamic Association, and vegan by the Vegan Society. Head over to Natural Grower to find out more about their products and for organic gardening tips and advice.

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