We think that this article in the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show 2006 catalogue sums things up rather well:-

"Lowland raised bogs are the main source of peat used for horticulture.  They are also unique natural habitats that support biodiversity and species at risk (plants, birds and insects.)  Peat bogs accumulate over thousands of years, and in that time they preserve invertebrate and animal remains and deposits that can provide a valuable historical account of land use and climate change.

Peatlands are an important carbon sink; the extraction of peat releases carbon into the atmosphere and reduces the capacity of the carbon sink, exacerbating global warming.

Home gardeners use 65% of all growing medium sold in the UK and most of this contains peat.  There are many viable alternatives which are either completely peat-free or have a reduced peat content, and by switching to these products, gardeners can make a significant reduction to the overall demand for peat.

Peat extraction will cease in the UK by 2012.  If we continue to use peat after this date, we will be passing the environmental problems associated with its extraction to other countries without knowing what the effect of this might be.  Therefore the RHS recommends and uses alternative growing media products, where the results are comparable.

At RHS shows, exhibitors are required to use alternatives to peat in staging their displays.”

For more information about The Royal Horticultural Society go to:- www.rhs.org.uk

You can purchase Humost which is an excellent peat sustitute here at gardenclever.com.  We also make two Peat Free composts:- PF Multipurpose and PF Tree & Shrub.  which are available to buy through this website.