ALAN Titchmarsh defends his decision to continue using peat

by Compostwoman on 15th April 2011, 5:02 pm

ALAN Titchmarsh defends his decision to continue using peat – having once campaigned against it.

He said he would carry on using peat-based compost until a “perfect substitute” is discovered.
But environmentalists said his stand sent the wrong message to amateur gardeners.

Read more:

HERE

by Dandelion on 15th April 2011, 7:26 pm

I would agree that non-peat composts aren't perfect (for sowing seeds, for instance) but it's still no reason to be destroying areas of peat. (I believe that the Uk is currently despoiling countries of Eastern Europe for their peat at the present.) Has the man not understood that peat has important functions outside his garden???

by Compostwoman on 15th April 2011, 9:17 pm

I use Fertile Fibre for seed growing and find it excellent.

They are based at Withington as well!

I cannot understand his mind set at all.

by Jaded Green on 15th April 2011, 9:36 pm

There is no defence. Mr JG and I didn't buy seed compost last weekend because our garden centre didn't sell any that didn't contain peat. Must go to Oxfam and get a coir brick!

by Luath on 16th April 2011, 12:34 pm

The man's a twonk.

I got some of the coir bricks from Oxfam, but haven's used them yet.

by Adrian on 16th April 2011, 1:13 pm

Well that confirms my already low opinion of Titchmarch, one already brought low by the crime against horticulture that was Groundforce..

by Wilhelm Von Rhomboid on 16th April 2011, 2:41 pm

It is fortunate that he has modified his position on peat, because now he can accept those big fat cheques from B&Q for promoting their peat compost without feeling any twinges of conscience.

by Lottie on 16th April 2011, 5:04 pm

The man's a pillock, I went off him years ago when I read his attempt at a sex scene in one of his novels... his poor wife.. Rolling Eyes

There's no need for peat, I've not used in years and don't even notice, what a plonker... Rolling Eyes

by Hairyloon on 16th April 2011, 5:17 pm

to ne fair, he only say he uses peat "sometimes" and for plants he can't grow without peat.

While I wouldn't expect that particular publication to skew a quote for a good story, it is possible they may have misunderstood him a little. :?

by Lottie on 16th April 2011, 9:00 pm

Hairyloon wrote:to ne fair, he only say he uses peat "sometimes" and for plants he can't grow without peat.

Well then ,surely just don't grow that plant? Neutral

I'm curious as to which plant it is that is so peat specific?

by Compostwoman on 16th April 2011, 9:00 pm

Hairyloon wrote:to ne fair, he only say he uses peat "sometimes" and for plants he can't grow without peat.

While I wouldn't expect that particular publication to skew a quote for a good story, it is possible they may have misunderstood him a little. :?

This article and a similar one in Horticultural Week were based on a longer one in the Gardeners' World magazine .

If he really needs to use Peat, why can't he use something like Moorland Gold where the Peat is reclaimed from the filters in various water works etc. It is washed out naturally and would otherwise be a waste product and thrown away. It is really good stuff.

Its what I use!

by Compostwoman on 16th April 2011, 9:10 pm

Otter Farm blog

talks about this issue

I had also noticed that the Jamie Oliver stuff was not Peat Free. I was not impressed. But then I am often unimpressed by J.O.

by Adrian on 16th April 2011, 9:32 pm

Lottie wrote:
Hairyloon wrote:to ne fair, he only say he uses peat "sometimes" and for plants he can't grow without peat.

Well then ,surely just don't grow that plant? I'm curious as to which plant it is that is so peat specific?

Me too, as far as I can recall, there are peat free alternatives for just about all ericaceous plants.

by Hairyloon on 17th April 2011, 12:12 am

Maybe you lot are all much better gardeners than he is.
Perhaps you should write & send him some tips.

Or go a step further and make a documentary proving how wrong he is... Anyone know any celebrities?

by Compostwoman on 17th April 2011, 12:23 am

I have done a fair bit of "media" stuff in the not to distant past....( have done a lot of press stuff actually) and would be up to do more in theory ....

but tbh it is not " sexy" or " now"...to grow your own, talk sense, make compost, chutney, cheese etc

and have had enough of being made to look stupid by tv types who say one thing and then vt another................

by Adrian on 17th April 2011, 12:43 am

Dunno about being a better gardener HL, but I am a Horticulturist trained in ornamental plant production and environmental horticulture, and reckon my education may be touch more up to date than ATs. I also work in area of the world where ericaceous plants thrive and to be honest I am almost completely certain that nothing grown here needs a peat based compost.

I could be wrong about it, but I do know that none of the local nursery owners touch the stuff for their plant production.

by Hairyloon on 17th April 2011, 9:57 am

So throw down the gauntlet and challenge him to a competition...
See if that newspaper will sponsor it.

What do other TV gardeners think?

by Lottie on 17th April 2011, 8:29 pm

I duobt whether Bob would be impressed.... Shocked

I think the problem is that he is nolonger just a well known gardener, HL, he's a brand. Neutral

Even if he was challenged and beaten decidedly, it'd be the person that beat him who'd get the stick, I reckon. Alan is the population's darling, especially the older ladies.. Laughing

I used to adore him, anything he said to do in the garden, I'd do... Shocked

now? Bit more cynical. I just don' t think he's acting responsibliby, and he should be setting the standard, not undermining it.

by Hairyloon on 17th April 2011, 9:47 pm

Lottie wrote:Even if he was challenged and beaten decidedly, it'd be the person that beat him who'd get the stick, I reckon..

Is he an arse? Or is he just misguided?
He is not a politician, there should not be a problem with him making a U-turn when he has been shown to be wrong.

It is not about beating him, it is about showing the error of his ways, so he can champion the right cause.

by Lottie on 18th April 2011, 9:39 am

If he doesn't know the pitfalls of using peat by now, HL, with all his years of experience, then I despair, I really do...

by Chilli-head on 18th April 2011, 10:36 am

Over of Kitchen Garden magazine forum there are a good few think like him; until there is something as good as peat (probably without modifying growing methods at all) they will find all manner of straws to clutch to justify to themselves continuing with peat.

The only peat I use is in JI seed compost, and amounts to very little; but I'm experimenting with leaf mold this year in the hope of replacing that.

by Hairyloon on 18th April 2011, 11:03 am

Lottie wrote:If he doesn't know the pitfalls of using peat by now, HL, with all his years of experience, then I despair, I really do...

As I understand, the pitfalls of peat are entirely remote from the gardening.

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