10 Best Peat-Free Composts UK 2022 | Westland New Horizon, Miracle Gro and More

For those after a quick look, here is our Top 5:

1. Dalefoot - Peat-Free Wool Compost for Seeds for £17.25
2. Natural Grower - Natural Peat Free Compost For Organic Growers for £19.99
3. Melcourt - SylvaGrow Peat Free Multipurpose Compost for £16.99
4. Homebase - Peat Free Multi-Purpose Compost for £5.95
5. Fertile Fibre - Peat Free Organic Seed Compost for £18.95

For a more in-depth look at the comprehensive top 10 selection, make sure to read on to learn more about the different types of peat-free compost available and understand how our ranking was determined.

This article’s chosen EC site price listings are reflective of its publishing date.

1. Choose the Right Type: Seed Sowing, Hanging Basket or Multipurpose
2. Select Compost With Components That Fit Your Sustainability Goals

Seed compost contains a suitably low level of slow-release nutrients for newly grown seedlings, a level sometimes called John Innes 1 (John Innes 2 is used for potting on young plants and 3, which has the most nutrients, for the final potting up). Seed compost can be used for seeds, rooted cuttings and for potting seedlings that are big enough to handle by the leaf tips. 

It is usually shredded more finely so that developing shoots and roots aren't blocked or misshapen. However, the increased use of wood fibre instead of peat has resulted in gardeners often needing to sieve even compost labelled as 'seed compost' before sowing. 

Compost designed for pots and hanging baskets has extra water-retaining features, so it releases water slowly when plants require moisture. Most have controlled nutrient release too. Alternatively, you can add water-retaining gel/crystals and slow-release nutrient pellets to multipurpose compost to use in hanging baskets.

Multipurpose compost tends to have a more rugged texture (as it is processed less to keep costs down), meaning it is suitable for potting on, planting out, containers and borders. It has a level of nutrients suitable for mature plants but will typically need supplementing with additional feed after about 6 weeks.

Take a look at our suggestions for the best hanging baskets and outdoor plant pots.

Green waste is the term for garden and agricultural waste (plant cuttings, grass clippings, seed husks, stalks etc.) which is industrially composted by councils and the farming industry. Whilst being nutrient-dense and water-retaining, this green waste often suffers from contamination – think how many stray plastic bags and wrappers you see discarded in nature. 

Finding shredded plastic (leading to microplastics after further degradation) is a real risk when you choose compost containing green waste. As such, some composts are labelled specifically as free from green waste. Some brands will also state that their agricultural by-products are from a single, known source, rather than relying on public garden waste bin collections or from other multiple sites.

Shredded wood, timber pulp and fine bark chippings are often used to bulk out compost as they improve drainage and keep the pH low. Look for those which are labelled as by-products of sustainably managed British forests or which are FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) endorsed. 

Overly-large fragments of wood can inhibit seed and seedling growth, distorting root formation and reducing germination rate, so do read reviews before buying or opt for more finely-milled seed compost.

Coconut coir (the hairy fibre from coconut husks) retains water well and also ensures that air pockets remain in the compost, aiding healthy root growth. Coir is nutrient-poor, however, so should not dominate the compost mixture.

Coir is a by-product of coconut farming, but removing the husk fibres from the shell requires soaking in water – yet coconuts are predominantly farmed in places where fresh water is scarce. If soaked in saltwater, the coir must be heavily rinsed before being added to gardening products. The large carbon footprint of overseas transportation adds to the environmental concerns that some have about coir. 

For those who value environmental credentials highly when selecting a growing medium, there is now completely traceable compost available. This is made with locally farmed UK produce, such as wool, bracken and maize. These options are predictably more expensive, but worth it if supporting UK businesses and choosing sustainable products are important to you. 

If you fancy making your own compost (which then needs mixing with dry sand), you'll need a suitable compost bin.

This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used. 

Peat grows at an excruciatingly slow rate of 1 mm per year in wetland bogs, which are only found on 3% of the Earth's surface. Despite this, they store 1/3 of the world's soil carbon, meaning it is vital to protect peatlands in the fight against climate change.

Peat-containing compost – often labelled as multipurpose compost or soil improver – can be made of up to 70% peat, which itself is essentially decayed organic material i.e. the partially decomposed remains of plants and animals. Peat-free composts are made up of recycled garden materials, coir, wood fibre and composted bark.

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Written and researched by Lucy Smith