91µ¼º½

List of retailers that stock only peat-free compost

To help gardeners make sustainable choices, the RHS has worked with the to create a list of garden centres and retailers that stock only peat-free growing media (includes potting compost, soil improvers and mulches)

Why peat-free?

Healthy peatlands are the most efficient carbon store on land. When peat is harvested, this carbon is released as CO2&²Ô²ú²õ±è;– the main greenhouse gas driving climate change&²Ô²ú²õ±è;– and unique ecosystems are destroyed. Choosing peat-free compost helps to combat climate change and conserve precious peatland habitats. Find out more

How do I know if compost is peat-free?

Labelling on compost bags can be confusing, especially as products labelled as ‘organic’ or ‘natural’ will often contain peat. Unless it states ‘peat-free’ on the bag, the product will usually contain peat. 

By using this list, gardeners can be certain that the compost, mulches or soil improvers they are buying do not contain any peat.

What if none of these retailers are near me?

If none of these retailers are local to you, you can look for these widely available brands that are fully peat-free across their whole range:

&²Ô²ú²õ±è;–  (RHS endorsed)
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&²Ô²ú²õ±è;– 
&²Ô²ú²õ±è;– 
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As of November 2023 are also a peat-free brand, but some of their products available in 2024 may still contain peat. 

In addition, B&Q, Dobbies, Tesco, Waitrose, Lidl, Co-Op, Morrisons and Iceland stock only peat-free composts.

How to use this list

The retailers on this list have declared that all their bagged potting composts, mulches and soil improvers are peat-free. Many sell online, while others only sell in person but have a website giving details and address. You can use the map to find a retailer near you. Details can then be found in the list below, ordered alphabetically within regions.

Government policy remains that they intend to legislate to ban the sale of horticultural peat in England by the end of 2024 ‘as soon as parliamentary time allows’. Until there is legislation in place, we will update this list with retailers who move to selling only peat-free bagged composts.

Retailers by region

South East


Faversham, Kent 


Henfield, Sussex


Crawley, Sussex


Reading, Berkshire


Eastborne, Sussex


Thatcham, Berkshire


Andover, Hampshire


Staines, Middlesex


Tunbridge Wells, Kent

 
Ditchling, Sussex

RHS Wisley Plant Centre and Shop
Woking, Surrey


Sidcup, Kent


Crawley, Sussex


Frensham, Surrey


Fareham, Hampshire


Gravesend, Kent


Tonbridge, Kent


Chislehurst, Kent


Canterbury, Kent


Welling, Kent

East Anglia


Norwich, Norfolk


Sudbury, Suffolk


Tiptree, Suffolk

RHS Hyde Hall Plant Centre
Chelmsford, Essex

South West


Castle Cary, Somerset (online sales only)


Near Kingsbridge, Devon


Near Ferndown, Dorset

 
Wareham, Dorset


Dorchester, Dorset

RHS Rosemoor Plant Centre
Bideford, Devon


Wimborne, Dorset


Christchurch, Dorset

Midlands


Ashbourne, Derbyshire


Dronfield, Derbyshire


Cirencester, Gloucestershire


Nottingham, Nottinghamshire


Worcester, Worcestershire

North East

RHS Harlow Carr Plant Centre
Harrogate, Yorkshire

North West


Manchester, Greater Manchester


Macclesfield, Cheshire


Stockport, Cheshire

RHS Bridgewater Plant Centre
Manchester, Greater Manchester

Wales


Raglan, Monmouthshire

Scotland


West Linton, near Edinburgh

Disclaimer: this list is not exhaustive, but records the UK retailers found to be bagged peat-free as of 1 April 2024 through a survey by the Garden Centre Association and the RHS.

If you sell only peat-free growing media and are not included on the list, and would like to be added as the list is updated, please contact us.

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