latest update from DEFRA on the peat task force.

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Nature's Babe
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They sent me this update so am sharing it here.

http://www.defra.gov.uk/peat-taskforce/
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glallotments
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In the interest of offering both sides of the argument I just thought that this article may be of interest

http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/country-view/farming/growers_claim_they_are_being_penalised_over_peat_1_4069756
Nature's Babe
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Always good to see both sides Gallotments. :)
However there is no doubt that peat extraction destroys and depletes a natural habitat, there are alternatives that help natural fertility long term.
eg small branch chippings -

http://www.goveganic.net/spip.php?article17

Also a lot of peat products come with artificial fertiliser / nitrogen added and the latest research on that gives food for thought, see my last post for that research.
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glallotments
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Another article in The Yorkshire Post that may be of interest is here
http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/lifestyle/yorkshire-living/plants_die_in_compost_based_on_peat_substitute_1_4104372

The subject of unreliable alternatives to peat is raised.
Nature's Babe
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Yes true, many put weed killers on their lawns and unthinkingly add the grass clippings to the green waste. I do my best to produce all my own compost, to exclude importing such horrors.
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Labels on lawn "products" advise not to compost & councils fine for putting compostable material in the non-composting bin. Catch-22 for those who do think.

Another one for the law of unintended consequences.
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glallotments
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peter wrote:Labels on lawn "products" advise not to compost & councils fine for putting compostable material in the non-composting bin. Catch-22 for those who do think.

Another one for the law of unintended consequences.


That is exactly the problem Peter and it could well be clopyralid - cousin to dreaded ap!

Producing own compost isn't an option for most people NB - not in the quantities needed so it's not a solution!
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It just shows all these unnatural chemicals cause problems eventually, even appearing eventually in breast milk. I guess the organic alternatives are not cheap either.
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glallotments
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Nature's Babe wrote: I guess the organic alternatives are not cheap either.


If you mean organic alternatives to compost - there is no guarantee that they are free of contaminants
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