"Alys Fowler advocates for prioritizing the environment in all our considerations, discussing the importance of peat bogs and animism."
Alys Fowler's New Venture: Peat-Free Nursery and PhD Research
Alys Fowler, a well-known horticulturist, is embarking on a new journey in west Wales. She is starting a small nursery with a focus on perennial vegetables that thrive in low-nitrogen soils, marking a step towards sustainable gardening.
Fowler's interest in sustainable practices extends beyond her nursery. She recognises the value of weeds in providing insights about soil health and ecology. Fowler believes that merely stating "I'm peat-free" is not enough, and collective action is necessary to make peat-free gardening a reality.
Her upcoming PhD research at Keele University will delve deeper into this topic. Fowler's research will focus on human and more-than-human relationships, particularly in the context of late-stage capitalism, a subject she finds intriguing.
Fowler's forthcoming book, "Peatlands: a journey between land and water", published by Hodder Press for £20, reinforces her commitment to the cause. The book is a love letter to bogs, highlighting their significance in our climate, history, and cultural identity. It also serves as a plea to the horticultural industry to care about these unique habitats.
The book does not provide gardening tips but rather emphasises the importance of adopting peat-free practices. It argues that taking peat from other countries, such as Estonia, is not acceptable due to colonialism concerns.
Fowler's garden reflects her sustainable approach. She finds baby carrots grow well in a polyculture, but not fat carrots. However, she struggles with carrot fly and the need for equidistant spacing and no light competition.
Peat extraction for horticulture has significant environmental and social impacts. It contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, habitat destruction, and ecosystem degradation. Efforts to find sustainable alternatives aim to reduce these impacts and support affected communities.
Research projects, like one by NAIT in Canada, are exploring alternatives using agricultural by-products to partially replace peat use, which could reduce environmental harm while supporting local economies and Indigenous communities through new revenue streams.
Fowler finds inspiration in various subjects, including deep space and medicine. Her new garden, with its wild, edible, and "weedy" appearance, is a unique and pleasing space, despite appearing "bonkers" to others.
References:
[1] Horticulture Week. (2021, June 17). Horticultural peat use in the UK and Europe: A review of the issues and alternatives. Retrieved from https://www.hortweek.com/business/industry-issues/horticultural-peat-use-in-the-uk-and-europe-a-review-of-the-issues-and-alternatives/1733770.article
[2] Peat Free Gardening UK. (n.d.). Why peat matters. Retrieved from https://www.peatfree.org/why-peat-matters
[3] The Wildlife Trusts. (n.d.). Peatlands. Retrieved from https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/nature-and-wildlife/habitats/peatlands
[4] The Carbon Trust. (n.d.). Peatlands. Retrieved from https://www.carbontrust.com/resources/peatlands/
[5] The Environmental Investigation Agency. (2021, May 19). Peatlands: The Dirty Truth. Retrieved from https://www.eia-international.org/news/blog/peatlands-the-dirty-truth
- Alys Fowler's new venture in west Wales, a peat-free nursery focused on perennial vegetables, aligns with her commitment to sustainable horticulture.
- Fowler's PhD research at Keele University will investigate human and more-than-human relationships, particularly focusing on the environmental and social impacts of peat extraction in the context of climate-change and environmental-science.
- The horticulture industry can significantly reduce its environmental footprint by adopting peat-free practices, as shown in research projects like NAIT in Canada, which explores alternatives using agricultural by-products.
- Fowler's gardening practices embody her sustainable lifestyle, with an emphasis on wild, edible, and "weedy" plants, highlighting the importance of such choices for both the environment and the home-and-garden.
