When we think about the benefits of applying organic compost to our gardens, our principle thought tends to be about the goodness we are adding to the earth and the effect this will have on the plants, flowers, and vegetables we will grow.

Often overlooked – or simply unknown - however is that when you nourish your garden with compost, you’ll also be creating your very own little carbon sink.

That’s because behind the oceans, the earth beneath our feet is the second largest store of CO₂ on the planet.

Through a process known as carbon sequestration, compost effectively locks those greenhouse gases in the ground, making it a key weapon in the fight against climate change.

In fact, for every one tonne of compost applied to the earth, 375 kg of CO₂ is kept out of the atmosphere.

And because harvesting peat for compost releases carbon into the air, the benefits of organic compost are even greater when it is used as a replacement for peat-based fertilisers, saving up to 900kgs of greenhouse gas emissions.

Other garden methods such as planting trees, fostering a better eco-system and keeping soil undisturbed will help capture carbon but among the most effective ways to capture CO₂ is by adding peat-free organic compost.

Comforting to know that when you are tending to your own little paradise in your back garden with New Leaf Compost, you’re not only improving your own piece of the earth, but making a positive impact on the entire planet!

Ideas to lock in carbon with New Leaf Compost

• Mulch your flower beds
• Plant trees and shrubs
• Start a ‘no dig’ vegetable patch
• Create a wildflower meadow or border
• Treat your lawn with compost in place of chemical fertiliser