Even when labelled as 'soil,' many products still contain peat! Gardening requires a lot of substrates, and unfortunately, the bags you buy still often contain peat. The extraction of peat from bogs harms the environment. Peat-free substrates are sustainable and climate-friendly. Discover which options are available and how to use them effectively here.

Peat bogs are valuable habitats that store around a third of the world’s carbon. The extraction of peat releases harmful CO2 and reduces the amount that can be absorbed from the air. Additionally, peat bogs provide essential habitats for rare plants and animals.

It’s a dilemma, as peat is ideal for cultivating plants. It’s structurally stable, providing support for plants, holds water well, yet is airy enough to allow oxygen to reach the roots and it’s free from weeds. Since peat contains hardly any nutrients, it’s easy to grow plants in and can be fertilised to suit the specific needs of different plants.

However, all these benefits are far outweighed by its negative environmental impact.

The serious issues surrounding peat extractions are a good reason to choose compost soils and other peat-free substrates – especially since peat-based soils are expected to be phased out soon. It is planned that by 2026, all soils for hobby gardening must be peat-free. In commercial horticulture, peat-based soils and substrates are expected to be largely replaced by peat-free materials by 2030.

A quick note on the difference between soils and substrates: Soils occur naturally, like leaf mould or compost soil. Substrates, on the other hand, are blends of natural soils and base materials such as wood fibres, coconut fibres, coco peat, quartz sand, or perlite. Other interesting and useful substrate components include rice husks, biochar, miscanthus, and hemp fibres. Each has specific properties, which distinguishes them from peat-based substrates: they aren’t as universally adaptable but are tailored to the needs of specific plants or ideal for plant propagation. For example, you can use small pots or coco peat growing pellets for starting vegetable seedlings or insect-friendly flowers. Processed coco peat, in particular, has similar qualities to peat: it has a high air and water capacity, is structurally stable, and absorbs water well. It’s also low in nutrients. Interestingly, coco peat is a by-product of making coconut mats or ropes.

The selection of peat-free soils is now very large. But which one is the right choice?

• Good quality is always an important selection criterion. Look for the RAL quality seal, which marks high-quality and environmentally sound products.
• The base materials are listed on the packaging in descending order by percentage. And here’s the key: It’s all about the mix. Many substrates are already labelled according to their intended use: orchid soil, citrus plant soil, and soil for fruit and vegetable cultivation. However, taking a look at the base materials of your substrate can be helpful for fertilising. If the wood fibre content is high, more nitrogen (as well as other nutrients) is required for healthy plant growth, as wood fibres are low in nutrients. A high proportion of compost soil, on the other hand, only requires fertilising with horn shavings, as compost soil already contains sufficient potassium and phosphorus.
• Peat-free soils can absorb less water. The tip 'Water less frequently, but more thoroughly' no longer applies, especially for containers, boxes, and pots. Now, it's better to water less but more often. Don’t skip using saucers if your containers are on the balcony or terrace. Peat alternatives like wood or bark fibres can colour the watering water brown. If excess water drains away quickly because the soil can’t absorb it as fast, unsightly marks can appear on the floor.
• Containers with water reservoirs or irrigation systems with moisture sensors, or the simple ollas, are particularly well-suited for peat-free soils. They provide moisture only when the soil starts to dry out, without any water overflowing. This way, you can also avoid frequent watering.

The best option is to make your compost. This can be achieved in the garden with a compost heap or a compost bin, on the balcony, or indoors in small spaces and without odour using a worm box or Bokashi bin. With compost as your base material, you can also create your own high-quality, peat-free soil: Good gardening and potting soils are made by mixing mature compost, garden soil, and sand, gravel, or wood fibres in a 1:1:1 ratio. Gardening tools such as a hand fork or garden trowel from Bosch will help you with this.

For houseplants, you can completely forgo traditional soil and switch to granules with mineral components such as clay pebbles, pumice, and lava. This offers many benefits, as once the plant is potted or repotted, little maintenance is required. The granules can retain water and release it as needed by the plants, while the porous material ensures that enough oxygen reaches the roots. Additionally, granules can be reused multiple times, making them especially sustainable. Another advantage: Fungus gnats don't like the granules. It's always worth using special pots with a water level indicator and an inner pot.

If you're in the mood for homemade sustainability, you'll find upcycling and DIY projects to try here.

If you would like to know more about when specific gardening tasks need to be done, our gardening calendar provides the right timing for all the essential activities.