Gardeners in Hampshire and Surrey are being encouraged to follow the lead of the National Trust in phasing out the use of peat in their gardens. They can do this, says Hampshire Waste Services, by making use of Pro-Grow, the soil conditioner newly certified by the Soil Association as organic.

Whereas the use of peat, as a finite resource, is turning the lowland peat bogs into lunar landscapes, Pro-Grow is a sustainable, infinite resource making use of the garden waste mowings and clippings collected at Household Waste Recycling Centres. This green waste is processed by Hampshire Waste Services, part of the Onyx Group, at wholesale composting centres and turned into an organic soil conditioner, high in nutrients within a 16-24 week period.

The amount of peat used by gardeners has increased by 50 per cent in the last seven years and, "it is up to individuals, especially those living in rural areas, to be aware that there are changes which can be made in their gardens that will directly impact the wildlife habitats of this country. Sustainable alternatives are constantly being developed by ecologically minded organisations," says the Soil Association, which claims that "using peat is gardening at the expense of wildlife."

Hampshire Waste Services is at the forefront of this, with the knowhow in replacements to peat, by recycling garden waste and clippings to produce the Pro-Grow soil conditioner. Its organic certification by the Soil Association confirms what gardeners, organic growers, horticulturists and farmers have known for years - that Hampshire's soil conditioner is a quality product.

Now new bags have now been designed to carry the famous Soil Association symbol.

Sales of the product remain buoyant throughout the year but Pro-Grow is in particular demand in the spring and summer as gardeners get underway with sowing and potting, mulching and border-building. "Once people have tried it, they love it and come back for more" says Peter Mills, Hampshire Waste Composting Manager. He has also been busy with bulk supplies to landscapers, farmers and organic growers, one of whom intends to use it on asparagus beds to boost his sales to a major supermarket chain.

Analysed under test conditions, Pro-Grow has been shown to improve plant growth due to its ability to improve soil structure. An early vote of confidence came from the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens and Arboretum. Curator Mike Buffin gladly accepted a large donation of the soil conditioner to help mulch the borders of the new Winter Garden project, the largest of its kind in the country. He now uses Pro-Grow throughout the gardens.

Hampshire Waste is aiming to recycle an even greater amount of garden waste in the coming year, upping the tonnages to 60,000 - an increase of 50% on the 40,000 tonnes processed in 1999.

This follows the construction of two new purpose built sites , Chilbolton Down near Stockbridge and Down End, Fareham. Little Bushywarren Copse, near Basingstoke was expanded last year to cope with 120 tonnes of garden waste a day.

Pro-Grow is available loose at £4.70 per cubic metre loose or in 30 litre bags at £1.95 from Household Waste Recycling Centres and selected garden centres.

29 June 2000

For further information or for bulk purchases of Pro-Grow, contact Peter Mills at Hampshire Waste Services on 01962 764000.

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