Growing Sphagnum at Coed Talylan – Try-Out Fund Project Overview
This project at Coed Talylan is supported by the Farming Connect Try-Out Fund and aims to test the feasibility of cultivating Sphagnum moss at small field scale as a potential peat alternative for horticulture. The trial will take place on marginal land characterised by poor drainage, acidic soils, and low fertility — conditions that naturally suit Sphagnum growth.
Why Grow Sphagnum?
Sphagnum moss is the main peat-forming plant in bog ecosystems. It absorbs and holds large quantities of water, helping to store carbon and regulate hydrology. Peat formed by Sphagnum has long been used in horticultural growing media, but peat extraction damages these carbon-rich ecosystems and releases greenhouse gases. Growing Sphagnum instead of extracting it offers a regenerative alternative — producing renewable biomass for peat-free composts while restoring the ecological function of wetland systems.
The National and Policy Context
The UK Government has committed to phasing out peat use in horticulture, with a retail ban expected to take effect from 2024 and an extended target for professional growers by 2026. DEFRA, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), and industry groups such as the Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) are working to support this transition by funding and monitoring trials of peat-free growing media. The need for viable alternatives has driven a surge in research and innovation — from composted wood fibre and bark to farm-grown Sphagnum as a renewable substrate.
What BeadaMoss® Has Shown
BeadaMoss® (Micropropagation Services EM Ltd) is a UK company leading work on commercial Sphagnum cultivation. Their trials, funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), demonstrated that Sphagnum can be propagated from tissue culture and successfully grown at field scale on re-wetted peatland. Key findings include:
- Micropropagated Sphagnum establishes well on wet, acidic substrates when surface water is maintained.
- Gel-encapsulated “bead” propagules improve survival and ease of handling compared with loose fragments.
- Spring planting and consistent moisture give the best establishment rates.
- Field growth is slow (three to five years to full harvest), but protected or greenhouse conditions can shorten the crop cycle to one to two years.
- Harvested Sphagnum performs well as a structural, moisture-retentive component in peat-free composts.
These trials provide a strong foundation for on-farm experimentation such as that now being undertaken at Coed Talylan.
European Developments in Sphagnum Farming
Across Europe, Sphagnum farming (paludiculture) has become a focus of climate and land-use policy. In Germany, the Greifswald Mire Centre and partners have successfully produced Sphagnum biomass on rewetted peatland, yielding around 10–15 t dry matter per ha per year. These systems demonstrate that re-wetted peat soils can remain productive without being drained, providing both climate and economic benefits. Similar projects in the Netherlands and Denmark have integrated Sphagnum cultivation into broader peatland restoration and circular bioeconomy strategies.
The Coed Talylan Trial Design
At Coed Talylan, the trial will test Sphagnum cultivation in a series of purpose-built beds on a low-lying, poorly drained area. Each bed will measure 3 metres wide by 20 metres long, separated by shallow trenches that help regulate surface water and prevent prolonged flooding.
After a sheet mulch to completely suppress existing grasses and rushes, propagules of Sphagnum, “hummocks” purchased from BeadaMoss® — a mix of species propagated for horticultural use — will be planted to establish the beds. Moisture will be continuously monitored using sensors and moisture meters provided through the Farming Connect scheme. Irrigation will be managed using a combination of drip lines and sprinklers to maintain the constant moisture levels that Sphagnum requires.
Monitoring will include both moisture-level data and direct measurements of Sphagnum growth depth over time to assess establishment and productivity. Propagules will be introduced in early spring 2026, and establishment will be tracked through regular photographic, hydrological, and growth-rate surveys.
The trial will also record data on substrate conditions, hydrology, and seasonal growth rates to assess how Sphagnum performs under semi-cultivated conditions. The intention is to test whether small-scale Sphagnum production could form part of a diversified horticultural system — providing locally produced peat-free material for propagation and nursery use while enhancing soil carbon and water retention.
Broader Aims
The project connects practical horticultural innovation with ecosystem restoration. By turning marginal wet ground into productive Sphagnum beds, Coed Talylan’s trial demonstrates a circular model for regenerative horticulture — producing renewable substrate material while supporting biodiversity and climate goals.
Beyond testing Sphagnum growth, the project will also evaluate how dried Sphagnum can be combined with other by-products to create high-quality, peat-free composts. Specifically, it will test mixtures of dried Sphagnum with mushroom compost and pelletised spent coffee grounds — both as a potential propagation medium and as a growing substrate for further mushroom cultivation. This dual-use approach aims to integrate waste recycling and bioresource regeneration within a closed-loop, low-input horticultural system.
The findings will contribute to the wider search for sustainable peat alternatives in Wales and the UK and will be shared through the Farming Connect network once results are available.
