Gardeners are set to benefit from a new, easy-to-follow leaflet designed to make sustainable gardening simpler and more accessible. The ‘Peat Free Gardening Hero’ guide is being launched this spring and will be distributed through participating garden centres.
Developed as part of the European Union funded Hort2thefuture project, in collaboration with the Enrich the Earth coalition, the leaflet offers practical, step-by-step advice to help gardeners successfully grow plants using peat-free composts.
The design of the leaflet draws on lessons from an analysis of over 90,000 comments in the community forums of the fryd app for amateur gardeners. Analysis of community forum data highlighted common gardening problems and sources of confusion regarding compost, with the need for straightforward tips to avoid problems. The leaflet design also draws on insights from the behavioural change literature, providing readers with a clear, six-step guide which takes gardeners from sowing seeds through to successful plant growth.
Some gardeners lack confidence in peat-free compost, and this has historically been a barrier to adoption. The new leaflet directly addresses these concerns, detailing how peat-free compost is widely available and effective, and offers practical solutions to common challenges such as watering and nutrient management.
Beyond practical tips, the leaflet also invites gardeners to share their experiences via a QR code, as part of attempts to stimulate two-way communication and engagement around sustainable growing practices. Participants who share their experiences can also enter a prize draw to win £100 gardening vouchers.
One of the designers of the leaflet, Dr. Cezara Nicoara, from Newcastle University, notes that “Many gardeners want to make environmentally responsible choices, and confidence is key to making those choices feel achievable. This guide offers clear, practical reassurance that peat-free gardening can be both simple and successful, with easy-to-follow steps to help gardeners feel confident their plants can thrive.”
Two different versions of the leaflet are currently being piloted in two garden centres of The Gardens Group, and the final design will be available free of charge at selected Garden Centre Association members.
Designed to be both informative and encouraging, the leaflet is a key step in supporting widespread adoption of sustainable gardening practices.
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