Peat Free - Some top tips from the RHS

Watering peat-free compost can be a balancing act as it can dry out at the top and sit soggy at the bottom, making it very easy to over water newly potted plants.

Here are some top tips for getting in tune with peat-free compost and its watering needs from RHS horticultural advisor, Becky

1. Try to make a note of when you last watered and communicate with your fellow waterers to avoid a drowned plant situation.

2. If the pot is small enough, lift it to check the weight or poke down into the compost to check how damp or dry it is before watering. Make sure you check it before you water.

3. Straight from the bag peat-free multi-purpose compost is not ideal for all plants and crops - sometimes you need to fix it up to their own requirements. Add grit for drainage, or homemade compost, to open the mix up and make the bag go further.

4. Fluff it up! Compost can get compacted within the bag, so you can use a cane to poke the compost down around the roots to avoid air pockets - not forgetting the magic tap of the pot to settle the compost.

5. If the compost has become completely dry, soak the pot from the base if it will fit in a bucket or dish or keep dribbling on a bit at a time. A large amount of water will run through, but a little bit every half an hour or so will slowly re-wet the compost, poking it as you go.

Happy peat-free growing!

Find more tips for peat-free gardening on the RHS website: https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/peat