peat free square foot gardening?

kate83

I'm trying to be as environmentally friendly as I can and not use peat, which is quite easy on the garden but when it comes to square foot gardening I'm struggling.
The mix is supposed to be a third peat/ a third vermiculite/ third garden compost.

Any ideas for an alternative mix? - I've got garden compost and steady supply of chicken manure but need something to bulk it out with to make a nice planting medium.

angelavdavis

Why not try one for yourself? Coir compost for example? Or mushroom compost? I would personally add some loam of some sort from the garden. Apparently worm compost is also a good option. I have bought coir in blocks before now. You can also source peat free mediums at garden centres.

There is some info on the Square Foot gardening site here

OI found another mention on another page as follows (http://www.squarefootgardening.com/index.php/Starting/inexpensive-ideas.html)

"In making the soil mix, if vermiculite and peat moss are not available in your area or you don't want to purchase them, you can grow in straight compost. You can either make your own or purchase bags already made. It is very important to remember that the compost needs to be made from several different ingredients in order to provide enough nutrients for the plants. "

olly300

New Horizon's Organic and Peat Free Growing Bag was recommended as the best grow bag to grow plants in at all stages on BBC Gardener's World special last week. I don't know what the composition is so you may have to go and see if you can find one to have a look.

BigDonut

Tehre is a square foot gardening threa don here already so might be better asking in that.

I made up the mix using peat free compost and some vermilucite.

The main idea with square foot gardening is that you want high quality mix for the plants to grow in.

Impecunious_2

olly300 wrote: »

New Horizon's Organic and Peat Free Growing Bag was recommended as the best grow bag to grow plants in at all stages on BBC Gardener's World special last week.

I've never tried their grow bag, but I recently bought 3 bags of their Organic and Peat Free General Purpose stuff, which has a Which recommendation. It's dreadful. It doesn't retain moisture - when you water it it drains immediately, without becoming damp. And it has a horrible musty smell.
Unfortunately I've used it to plant 3 potato containers. I strongly suspect I'll get back fewer potatoes than I put in.

Impecunious_2

Impecunious wrote: »

I strongly suspect I'll get back fewer potatoes than I put in.

OK, credit where it's due. I actually got quite a decent harvest!