Organizers of the Chelsea Flower Show are facing a significant withdrawal of plant growers due to new environmental guidelines mandating the use of peat-free compost. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), which organizes the event, has implemented these rules to address environmental concerns associated with peat extraction.
Environmental advocates highlight that digging up peatlands for horticultural use harms wildlife and contributes substantially to carbon emissions. The RHS aims to phase out peat use entirely, but the rapid implementation has created challenges for growers and their supply chains.
Two companies that have previously supplied plants for award-winning gardens at the show have announced they will not participate next year. Creepers Nursery, an award-winning establishment, is taking a one-year hiatus. Michael Buck, head of horticulture at Creepers, stated that only three of their 26 suppliers are currently fully peat-free, likening the situation to mandating electric vehicles without adequate infrastructure. How Green nursery, a 15-year participant, is also withdrawing, with director Simon Sutcliffe citing the timeline as "too tight" for achieving peat-free status.
The RHS has publicly urged the next UK Prime Minister to establish a national timeline for phasing out peat in horticulture. RHS Director-General Clare Matterson emphasized the need for government support to aid the industry's transition, protect peatlands, and promote biodiverse green spaces. This plea was echoed by numerous horticultural organizations and personalities, including the National Trust, the Peat Free Partnership, and garden designers.
Industry stakeholders have indicated that a lack of clear government guidance and support makes it exceptionally difficult to guarantee peat-free plants, particularly when imports are involved. The RHS's current regulations permit plants propagated before January 1 of the preceding year, meaning only those grown approximately 17 months prior will be allowed for the upcoming show. This deadline is set to remain unchanged for the next year.
Peat compost, favored for its moisture-retention and manageable weight, is largely imported from Ireland and eastern Europe, with some domestic sourcing from UK lowland sites. Previous deadlines for phasing out peat, initially set for 2020 and later pushed to 2024 and then 2026, have been missed. While the Labour party has indicated the phase-out remains a possibility, a definitive date has not been established.
The UK government has pledged to legislate a ban on the sale of peat and peat-containing products, stating it is working with the horticultural sector to support the transition to peat-free alternatives.