Growing Media
To fall into line with work done by WRAP, (Waste and Resources Action Programme) we have been looking at re-cycled materials such as green waste and wood fibres as part of the base components for our potting up mixes.
The quality of such materials once an issue, has been helped by the introduction of standards and specifications for the end product.
The British Standard Institute Publicly Available Specifications PAS100 guarantees a baseline standard for potting compost quality, whether for a growing media or other end use.
Our trials have identified potential benefits from the use of green compost growing media. A more biologically active growing medium along with slow release nutrients having disease, liverwort and weed suppression qualities has a great attractions.
We have now learned to manage this medium to our own recipe and have determined optimum rates for incorporation of green waste along with wood fibre and sand inclusion. This confers the benefits and minimises the disadvantages, such as high bulk density. Plant quality and root development is not now compromised in our peat free growing media environment.
Long term slow release fertilizers are incorporated as standard in all mixes.
In an area where voices get louder for the reduction of peat in horticulture, we hope that this information will give encouragement to customers old and new to use Reeds from Seeds for your young plant requirements.