In Spring 2024, we were commissioned to build the RHS Peat-Free Garden by garden designer Arit Anderson at the Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival.

During May and June 2024, we led the construction and planting of the garden, taking a 10m x 20m site from a patch of grass to a beautiful garden to showcase what can be achieved without a reliance on peat and to empower people to grow their own plants using sustainable alternatives.

The RHS Peat-Free Garden featured more than 2,000 annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees. Full of colour and texture, the naturalistic planting of the garden mimicked an untouched peatland before transitioning into a recognisable domestic garden complete with shaded as well as sun-loving borders and beds.

All of the materials used were reclaimed, including a large greenhouse made from upcycled windows, borrowed paving, old railway sleepers and even a disused beehive that served as a bug hotel. We constructed a large deck-board walkway, a 10m long log wall and laid a beautiful herringbone clay paver path. Two large zinc troughs collected rainwater from the green house with overflow channelled into a wildlife friendly water feature and rain garden for use during wet spells.

The garden was very well received by Festival visitors, the landscaping industry and the media. The garden featured in trade publications and in a dedicated slot on BBC Gardeners’ World.

Our thanks go to Arit Anderson, Carien van Boxtel, Richard Curle of Landscape Associates and those who volunteered their time to help build, plant and manage the garden during the construction and show phase.

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