Currently, many of us are active in our own garden or on the balcony. Flowers are being potted, a raised bed is being created and herbs are being planted for our own kitchen.

Who should not know it yet: if you buy garden or potting soil, please use only peat-free products!

Here are a few reasons why you should switch to peat-free garden soil:

  • Peatconservation: peat is a valuable resource that is extracted from peatlands. However, peatlands are important carbon sinks and habitats for rare species of animals and plants. Peat extraction destroys these peatlands and contributes to the release of carbon into the atmosphere. By not using peat-based products, we can help preserve peatlands and sequester the carbon in them.
  • Environmental friendliness: peat extraction and transportation require large amounts of energy, resulting in high greenhouse gas emissions. Producing peat-free soil, on the other hand, is much more environmentally friendly and significantly reduces carbon emissions.
  • Healthier plants: Peat-free soil contains natural ingredients such as compost, bark mulch and coconut shells that enrich the soil with nutrients and microorganisms. This promotes the growth of healthy plants that are more resistant to pests and diseases.
  • No restrictions on plant selection: Peat-based soil is often acidic and can limit certain types of plants. With peat-free soil, you can grow a wider range of plants without worrying about soil pH.

Conclusion from Ökotest: "Regardless of whether you use peat-free soil in the garden, on the terrace, on the balcony or in the home, you are doing something for climate protection: switching to peat-free plant and potting soil could save at least 400,000 tons of CO2 per year in this country." (Link: https://www.oekotest.de/freizeit-technik/Bitte-ohne-Torf-Warum-Sie-unbedingt-torffreie-Erde-kaufen-sollten_600859_1.html)

I'll also link you to a video from NABU that explains how to make peat-free soil yourself.