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Gardening with the RHS

Peat – the miracle beneath our feet

Gardening with the RHS

Royal Horticultural Society

Home & Garden, Leisure, Hobbies

4.4654 Ratings

🗓️ 1 April 2021

⏱️ 32 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Did you know that you can help fight climate change and protect rare plants and animals simply by changing what type of compost you buy? Peat bogs hold more carbon than all the world’s forests combined, and incredibly, the UK is one of the world’s top 10 countries by peatland area. Discover the amazing world of peat, and the part that gardeners can play to keep it in bogs, not bags, this spring. Featuring Sarah Johnson from the Lancashire Peat Partnership, botanist Joshua Styles, and an interview with Rebecca Pow MP, Minister for the Environment. Plus expert tips on peat-free growing from Propagation Team Leader Sam Gallivan at RHS Garden Wisley.

Transcript

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0:00.0

Get your tickets for the greatest show in Earth at an RHS garden near you.

0:05.0

Where nature puts on an unforgettable performance of colour and fragrance.

0:09.3

The scenery changes many times in one season and our finest trees will happily play the part of.

0:14.7

The best hiding place ever.

0:17.4

Booth.

0:18.2

Put your day out of dreams in the hands of the experts.

0:21.6

It's the greatest show in Earth at an RHS garden near you.

0:25.6

Book tickets online for discounts plus under five score free and under 16s of five pounds.

0:32.6

I'm Guy Barter and welcome to gardening with the RHS.

0:38.3

We start today's show in a rather special environment, a peat bog.

0:48.3

These habitats are vitally important in the fight against climate change.

0:52.3

Peat holds more carbon than all of the world's forests combined,

0:56.8

and area for area, peatlands generally contain more carbon than rainforests.

1:02.1

They also help keeping our drinking water clean,

1:05.2

reduce flood risk, and provide habitats for some incredible plants and animals.

1:10.4

In fact, a recent study by the RSPB found that for every pound invested in peatland restoration,

1:16.6

we get over four times as much back in economic and social benefits.

1:22.6

Quite the substance.

1:31.3

But despite all these benefits, peatlands are under threat. Peat is widely used in gardening as it's a big component of growing media,

1:36.3

potting compost and the like.

1:38.3

And as a result, at least 80% of our peatlands here in the UK have been damaged or destroyed.

1:45.0

Which is why at the RHS we're saying no to Pete.

...

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