I'm new to this too.

However, I read on the internet that there are substitutes for peat. Pine needles, for example. I think this will be good for me since I can't possibly compost all the pine needles that fall in my yard. They are slow decomposers.

So just search around and look for options. But I don't think it absolutely needs to be peat.

Vermiculite or perlite are used instead of peat by a lot of people. I've heard perlite is a little harder to use because it floats.

Vermiculite and perlite can substitute for each other or for sand, but peat, being organic rather than mineral, will rot out making your tufa look aged quicker.

Compost might work just as well.

I have used compost, composted pine bark, and finely shredded fresh pine bark. All seemed to work.

chriscarless, Believe a gentleman from the UK posted that he uses coir (shredded coconut husks). I've never used but think it comes in a compressed brick. You reconstitute it in water then let it dry to use as a peat moss substitute. Billie

Hi chriscarless-

The whole point of using peat is to incorporate an organic element to the cement mixture which would eventually decompose and leave a porous, primitive look to the finished product mimicking the tufa stone.

Almost any organic inclusion that will decompose can be used in hypertufa (I say almost, because a dry pasta experiment was a spectacular failure) and many people have used potting soil, mulch and various other substances such as coffee grounds have been experimented with to various degrees of success.

Experimentation is the backbone of the hypertufa experience. Who knows you may come up with an aggregate never before attempted. Just don't be shy about sharing your successes and less than successful attempts. We all learn from each other.

Jo