Young Nurseries Adopts Peat-Reduced Growing Media

Young Nurseries’ sustainable nursery approach

Having implemented environmentally friendly practices across many aspects of its operations, Limerick-based Young Nurseries were keen to embrace the transition to peat-reduced growing media.

Founded in 1988 by fourth-generation grower Nuala Young, Young Nurseries is a quality wholesale nursery, at Kilfinane, specialising in a broad range of hardy perennials, alpines, herbs and grasses.  The compact, well organised site features 2ha of modern greenhouses with automated climate control systems as well as outdoor beds and supplies Bord Bia Quality Assured plants, through its Bloss brand, to customers throughout Ireland on a weekly basis.

Nuala, together with husband Joe, son Joseph and daughter Rachel are passionate about sustainability.

“We have a lot of environmental strings to our bow,” says Nuala. “Our rainwater harvesting system, with large capacity storage tanks, captures 1.2million litres annually. We use water sustainably – relying on close monitoring of crops and recycling where possible through ebb and flood flooring. We have adopted an IPM approach to keep crop chemical usage to a minimum and are neonicotinoid-free.  We offer a wide variety of pollinator friendly varieties and all our plants are supplied in eco-friendly packaging. Our battery-operated forklifts and tugs have eliminated fumes within the growing houses. We aim to recycle most of our waste products with an onsite compacter for paper and plastic, while peat and plant debris is composted and recycled and any canteen food waste goes to the neighbours hens!

Why Young Nurseries switched to Peat-Reduced

Having previously relied on 100% Irish peat mixes, supplied by Bord na Móna, in 2021 Young Nurseries welcomed their first load of 25% peat-reduced Levington Advance growing media.

Passionate about sustainability, Nuala was more than happy to start the transition. “Overnight we went from 100% peat to 25% peat reduced,” she says.  “It was a bold move, but we knew it was coming and set about adjusting our growing and irrigation practices accordingly.

“With all the technical support we’ve had access to and, taking advantage of several new ICL technologies in our mix, it’s been relatively plain sailing.”

Adjusting potting and irrigation for Woodfibre blends

“With the Fibagro Advance woodfibre component in the mix, we set about adjusting our pot filling machinery to improve the flow,” says Joseph Young.  “We also made changes to the watering bar settings in the bulk hopper. The peat-reduced mix is drier than the 100% peat mix so we add more water pre-potting.”

“As we’d expected, we needed to tweak the recipe slightly – it is rare to get it 100% right the first time,” says Nuala.

How H2Gro improved water management

“Our Levington Advance peat-reduced mix contains two grades of Irish peat plus Fibagro Advance standard woodfibre. While arriving on site drier than the previous 100% peat mixes, due to the wood component, it also has a lower water holding capability.  To negate this, we incorporate H2Gro water management liquid and granules into our mix. The granules are long-lasting and remain effective for the full duration of our perennial crops.

“With the addition of H2Gro, we’ve found the water management of our crops to be similar to before,” says Joseph. “It’s important to water well on the day the plugs are planted to stop them drying out.  Generally, we find the water retention of the Levington Advance peat-reduced growing media is very good.

Controlled Release Nutrition for Perennial Crops

The Young’s bespoke peat-reduced mix contains Osmocote N, a controlled release fertiliser which trickles out Nitrogen in the background over a 5-6 month period.

To suit the perennial crops, the mix contains Osmocote 5 with an 8-9month release pattern.  “This longevity is calculated for crops grown in the Netherlands,” says ICL’s Brendan Howell. “Here in Ireland conditions are cooler and we find the nutrition tends to last 9-10 months. This is ideal for perennial crops as it can also help prolong plants shelf-live in the retail outlet and beyond.”

“By increasing the Osmocote 5 rate from 2.5kg to 4kg per m3 of substrate we’ve eliminated the need for any water solubles,” says Joseph. “In the past we were heavily reliant on water solubles for supplementary feeding. By switching to a higher rate of Osmocote 5, we’ve simplified and improved the nutrition programme and saved labour, while eliminating the nutrient leaching issues we were experiencing.

One Growing Media mix for multiple pot sizes

“ICL has tailored the peat-reduced mix to suit our perennial crops and growing systems,” says Joe.  “In January 2022 we increased the peat-reduction to 35%. The mix is working well, and we rely on a single mix for all our crops and pot sizes.  Predominantly we grow in 2litre pots, but the mix works equally well in 9cm pots right up to 3litre.  Having the confidence to grow using one mix greatly simplifies our potting operations.”

Results of the Peat-Reduced Growing Media transition

“We’re very pleased with the results,” says Nuala. “The peat reduction sits well with our sustainability ethos and is a selling point. Within the next two years we’re aiming to transition further to a 50% peat reduced mix.

“In a bid to utilising as much of the site as possible to grow plants, we don’t have spare space to hold lots of growing media.  Also, as the mix contains Osmocote, loads need to be used within three weeks. For these reasons we operate a ‘just in time’ growing media delivery policy.  With a local factory at Cúin na Móna in Ireland, ICL supplies what we want, when we want it, with short lead times – this is key for us.

“All in all, the transition to peat-reduce has been very straightforward,” says Nuala.  “We had already worked with Brendan over many years when he was at Bord na Móna and have also benefitted from the expertise of his new ICL colleagues – Andrew Wilson on the nutrition side and Stuart Gammage regarding the substrate. With considerable experience working with UK grower to transition to peat-reduced and peat-free mixes – we’ve found this very useful.

Why Levington Advance supports future Peat Reduction

“Our Levington Advance 35% peat-reduced mix is proving highly consistent, which is what you want as a grower.  Each batch performs the same as the last.  Now we’ve made the transition to peat-reduced, even if offered a 100% Irish peat mix, we wouldn’t go back.”