The ideal condition for the formation of peat is a wetland where flows of oxygen are not abundant due to the obstruction caused by floods and thus causing a slow rate of decomposition. Through proper management and harvesting practices and research, the Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association (CSPMA) and associated organizations and institutions, are doing their best to ensure that peat moss is a renewable resource. Were talking, of course, about composta substance resplendent in beneficial microorganisms that add great nutritional value to your soil. Peat moss comes in compressed-volume bags. Non-toxic and biodegradable, rice hulls feed the soil as they break down, yet they are sustainable enough to benefit your garden for an entire growing season. Sometimes a wetting agent is added to those mixes, as dry peat moss will initially repel water. I asked Paul Short what he would rate as the most challenging aspect of this process. Lastly, the cost of peat moss is a factor to consider. The short answer is yes, peat pots do decompose with time. In addition, the regular harvesting of sphagnum moss can also affect the ability of peat moss to form over time, as the two are closely united in the ecosystem. What makes the use of peat moss unsustainable? The peat problem and alternatives - Green Living Tips As we have explored, there are many alternatives that will require you to adjust how you garden to ensure you continue to get the best results. Rice hulls are the skin from the rice grain that is removed before rice is packaged and sold for consumption. I had a look at the academic literature surrounding the remediation of peatlands in Canada, and though promising things are happening thanks to smart, well-intentioned people, its not clear that weve figured out how to do this sustainably. Bagged Potting Mixes and Garden Soils for Home Gardeners Feeling excited about some of these peat moss alternatives youve found? While admittedly energy is consumed moving peat from a bog in Canada to my garden, there is no release of carbon dioxide. The usage of Peat moss can be plenty, but here I will only focus on its use in agriculture and gardening. Remember, peat forms very, very slowly in cool wetlands as sphagnum moss decays. All rights reserved. Peat moss is a deep brown, fibrous material harvested from peat bogs or wetlands. Awareness and understanding by the public and government agencies of our ability to restore peatland ecosystem functions and the commitment to responsible peatland management. "It's almost impossible to get it back to the way it was," says Chalker-Scott. As the decomposition happens in an anaerobic (without oxygen) state, the process takes millennials to form a thick layer of dead homogeneous material or peat moss. Peat composts contain controlled-release fertilizer, but organic peat-frees may need feeding after three weeks, although it varies from brand to brand. It is an extremely fertile growing medium for various types of flora. When we know better, we do better. 4 Reasons To Stop Using Peat Moss & 7 Sustainable Alternatives The Canadian horticultural peat industry operates on less than 22,000 hectares (54,363 acres) of these peat bogs nationally. Pros and Cons of Using Peat Moss - 2023 - MasterClass. When choosing your wood-based materials, be sure to use ones that come from untreated wood, Locally sourced is best if you can find it, as this will help ensure the health of your soil. Here's what you need to know about the downsides of peat moss, and what you can use instead. Peat moss is a soil amendment that is a dark-brown fibrous material used as a planting medium for growing plants. Learn about peat moss and how to use it in your garden. The long fiber sphagnum that you can buy is much more sustainable than the peat. The use of peat moss in gardening and agriculture has become very popular due to its water-retaining ability (can hold up to 20 times its weight) and rich nutrient content. They are primarily used for seed starting and potting houseplants. September 9, 2021 In the world of horticulture, peat moss possesses many qualities we want in a growing medium. What are the best peat moss alternatives? Sure, you can plant new trees, but it's going to take a long time. Peat moss is mainly composed of moss whereas composting ingredients can be almost anything, that is biodegradable. It wasnt really until the middle part of the 20th century that the horticultural industry in Britain swapped from similar formulas over to peat, largely because its lower weight made it cheaper to transport, and thus more profitable. Read More What Is LECA for Plants? The most common use for peat moss is to grow plants. I,m just wondering if spruce needles are acidic as well. It has the uncanny ability to hold on to air and moisture while allowing excess water to drain freely. Peat is a very common component in both nursery and greenhouse mixes. It provides many advantages to gardens, making it an inexpensive, renewable, and locally sourced alternative to peat moss. Is Peat Moss Bad For The Environment? Sterile medium. Countries such as Canada, Northern Europe, Scandinavia, and New Zealand are the biggest source of sphagnum peat moss. Is Peat Moss Really That Bad for the Environment? So the peat problem hasn't gone away, it's just been passed to other countries where peat should also be protected. The Editor Garry Coward-Williams, together with H&G's garden expert, Drew Swainston, have this advice. I usually use compost and well-rotted cow manure but Ive never tried coconut coir in place of peat. Though most of the time people use peat, peat moss, and sphagnum moss to mean the same thing, there is a subtle difference between them. Essential information for anyone planning to grow plants in containers. Well-rotted manure can be ordered, either from local garden centers or local farms or riding centers. The . The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Peat moss is mostly found in places with cool climates. So in the absence of reliable industry-level sustainability statistics, I decided to take a look at the recent news surrounding peat mining in Canada. In a CBC article noting this incongruity, there is also a quote from the Association noting that Peat industry operations do not contribute to the nutrient loading challenges that have created the concerns for Lake Winnipeg. Its attributed to then-president Paul Short. It is the young residue or live portion of the plant. There are plenty of other options for improving your soil without contributing to the use of peat moss and the subsequent decline of peat moss bogs. Almost any potted plant you can buy grows in a soil mix that contains peat moss, and most bagged potting soil does as well. Although many sphagnum varieties are present in peat moss, sphagnum moss is still living, whereas peat moss is quite deadoften hundreds of years dead! Leaf mold, like peat moss, helps to increase the water retention rates in the soil and mends the soil for better nutrient density and overall health. Pine needles are best used as a top dressing or mulch for plants or trees. However, the difference comes from the way they are harvested. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. The bog also gives support to rare and endangered animals like dragonflies, frogs, and birds. Why is peat moss bad for the environment? Some of these, you can even make without spending a single extra cent. Almanac Publishing Co. All Rights Reserved. But what if some small amount was released, so what? The truth about peat moss - The Ecologist Down to earth: plants will thrive in a traditional soil-based growing medium. Better Homes & Gardens - 100 years of powering your passions at home, The 11 Best Seed-Starting Soil Mixes of 2023, The 13 Best Potting Soils for Indoor and Outdoor Plants, How and When to Plant Pumpkins for Halloween, How to Use Compost: 9 Ways to Give Your Plants a Boost, This Eco-Friendly Alternative to Peat Moss Actually Stores Carbon, How No-Dig Gardening Leads to Healthier Soil and Thriving Plants, The 5 Best Soils for Succulents of 2023 for Thriving Plants, How Melissa Gilberts Lifestyle Brand Is Using the Home to Redefine Aging, The 11 Best Seed Starting Trays of 2023 to Help Kickstart Your Garden, How to Create Organic Soil for Your Healthiest Garden Ever, a horticulture professor at Washington State University, soil better able to absorb and hold water, Organic Mechanics Garden Center Potting Soil, $6, Espendshade's Garden Centers, make a conscious choice about what to use. Learn about potting mixes, their components, and the characteristics of a good potting mix. You may wonder, "Why is peat moss bad for my garden?" Our experts at A Garden Patch can help you understand the consequences of using peat moss as a soil additive. Even though there's no one-size-fits-all solution for avoiding peat moss, there are more sustainable options for providing your potted plants with what they need to thrive. The needles knit together, creating a mat that water can penetrate, but the wind doesnt easily blow away. As gardeners, being more mindful of where all our materials come from will help us make a conscious choice about what to use and how much of it. Though compost requires regular refreshing to continue serving your garden, the upside is that compost can be made from just about any organic substance you would otherwise throw away. Winter Solstice: When is it, and What is it? She points out that it actually helps with both of these needs, acting like tiny sponges throughout the soil that hold the water and slowly release it as a plant's roots need it. Couple this with its high acid level, and peat moss can be a detriment to your gardening space and lawn over time. Our blog post on the Best Compost Starer will give you great ideas on one of the most affordable alternatives to peat moss. 'Because of this, selling peat compost to amateur gardeners is being banned, and as a result, retailers are coming up with alternatives that are more eco-friendly. Click to see full answer . Prairie farmers in Canada use it extensively. Peat bog destruction - Biodiversity and the effect of human interaction Although it remains unclear whether the amount of carbon released during peat moss harvesting is significant enough to truly have a lasting negative impact on the environment, there remains undeniable concern about the impact on natural habitats and ecosystems when peat moss is removed at such a rapid rate. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. It is sold . Peat moss makes soil better able to absorb and hold water, but it isn't required. These flames belch absurd amounts of carbon into the atmosphere. And unfortunately, they are being harvested at much the same rate. Despite their similarities, sphagnum moss is still not an alternative we recommend. 31. The process of peat formation takes over thousands of years due to the abundance of water and the absence of oxygen affecting the natural decaying processes. Published 1 June 23. Given how slowly peat moss forms in nature, collecting it is hard to do in a truly sustainable wayand if you don't need it, why use it at all? Peat moss is an excellent choice for mulching gardens and covering bare spots on your lawn. This includes how it helps prevent flooding, purifies water, and absorbs carbon dioxide from the surrounding environment. Peat moss is one of the most recommended fertilizers today in many gardening tutorials. Once you find the pH is raising, add some peat again to lower the pH. It Can Be Expensive Once the bales get older they lose their drainage capacity. BOJ to Build Case for Big Move in 2h of 2024, BE Says Here are 3 main reasons why you should not use peat moss as mulch: 1. Additionally, peat moss can take up a lot of water, making mixing into other soils difficult. What can I use instead of peat moss? - Homes & Gardens Peat moss is a very good growing medium for carnivorous plants like Venus flytrap. Mining of horticultural sphagnum peat moss, widely used by farmers and gardeners in the United States, is another significant cause of peatland degradation. Without CO2, they would die. Peat moss has a lightweight and spongy texture. The peat is made over a very long period of time when sphagnum sinks and gets buried. Peat moss is very helpful in growing vegetables and plants that love an acidic environment. Some preservationists have likened the environmental importance of peat bogs to that of rainforests. I never would have imagined when, as a teenager, I first read about the debate surrounding peat, that I would still be seeing it rage on decades later. Cant wait to use them in your garden from now on? Peat moss is decomposed sphagnum moss that is sold for its ability to retaining moisture in soil much more efficiently than other similar products can. "We cannot replace the peat biomass that we remove from a bog in a human being's lifetime," says Paul Short, the president of the Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association. From this, it is easy to understand why peat moss harvesting is strictly controlled and its use has decreased significantly in much of Europe. Garry has been a journalist for 37 years, editing a range of specialist titles including gardening photography, field sports and fine wine magazines, and has contributed to national newspapers, too. It is usually formed in mild climates, such as those found in the northern hemisphere. I have planted perennials in coconut coir planters and placed those directly in the ground by the next year theyve decomposed nicely. And what causes them? Why is peat good for climate and nature? | Friends of the Earth Often, you will hear of sphagnum moss directly related to peat moss. It's especially useful for growing flowers and food in containers, because it helps plants maintain the moisture they need. Organic compounds such as sphagnum moss are broken down in peat bogs over hundreds or even thousands of years before being harvested for use in soil amendments, potting mixes, and more. Why Gardeners Should Stop Using Peat, and What to Use Instead In the wild, peat moss is found in decomposing peat bogsa large majority of which can be found in Canadas wetland regions. Organic gardeners know the value of leaf mold. Check out these five fantastic peat moss alternatives! sphagnum peat moss holds moisture in dry conditions. The answer has to do with what happens when it's harvested. It might be hard to believe, since peat moss has been a staple for gardeners since the 1940s. Buy It: Organic Mechanics Garden Center Potting Soil, $6, Espendshade's Garden Centers. Explore different types of potting mixes and get options for quality potting mixes available in the market. A very similar situation and concern exists in most of the continental U.S.A. where many wetlands have also disappeared over time. Compost is not a new amendment for most gardeners; however, it can also be used as an effective peat moss alternative. Normal garden soil is not very suitable for growing carnivorous plants because most of them need moist to wet soil in the warmer months and less moisture in winter. Black gold helps with drainage, attracts beneficial earthworms, and provides nutritional value. It contains little to no nutrients and growing in peat-based mixes ties the grower to constantly applying fertilisers to keep plants healthy. Coconut coir, also known as coco peat or coir peat, is rapidly gaining popularity and is the best-known alternative to peat moss. Why Use Peat Moss? - Ted Lare - Design & Build If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. In terms of its primary gardening uses, peat moss is a soil amendment that does not, in itself, contain any actual soil. I hope this post was helpful to you. How to put on a duvet cover 5 expert methods for an easy bed change, Everything you need to turn your dream home into a reality. After harvesting, the long fibers of the coconut husks are used for numerous things (doormats, brushes, rope, even upholstery stuffing). Are they the same? You can however apply fresh manure to your garden after the fall harvest, or in the spring as it is turned over and given at least a month before seeds are planted. Peat Bogs are carbon sinks; the harvesting of peat moss releases CO 2, promoting global warming. These methods and sharing knowledge will improve soil and plant health everywhere! Be sure to turn over your leaf pile often to help accelerate the breakdown process, which can be slow. When we're talking about peat moss for gardening, at least in the US, we're talking about sphagnum moss. Jesse Trail asks us to re-examine our concerns about peat extraction, querying whether the peat moss industry might actually function as conservation stewards of these unique wetland ecosystems, latest essay from our Megamorphosis series now. Remember that one is alive and from the surface (Sphagnum), the other is dead and from underneath. Dan Nosowitz is a seasoned freelance editor and writer, often covering lifestyle, food, political, tech, and news topics for a variety of outlets, including Better Homes & Gardens, the New York Times, Buzzfeed, Serious Eats, and Fast Company. That is one of the reasons they are shy about declaring the exact mix of contents on the bag. Because of its ability to hold water and nutrients well, peat moss is a good choice for hydroponic gardens. There is also the fact that, while peat moss is favorably sterile and free of weed seeds, it does not contain any nutrients in itself. What Is LECA for Plants? Though peat moss is a renewable resource, it can take hundreds to thousands of years to form the peat. Thin and nearly weightless, they help lighten the soil, improve drainage and aeration, and aid in water absorption. Peat, which forms in wetlands, is a deposit of partially decayed vegetation matter. Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. Download the latest essay from our Megamorphosis series now. When plant material is inhibited from decaying fully (due to lack of oxygen and presence of acidic medium) then it accumulates as peat. When I asked Paul Short; President, CSPMA how managing peat bogs in a sustainable fashion was being done, his response was: Our industry through policy and practice is committed to return post-harvest sites to functioning peatland ecosystems. Peatlands (bogs and fens) need to be acknowledged as natural biological resources and managed to ensure their environmental, social and economic values are sustained. It will give them the best drainage and moisture retention. Minneopa Orchards is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, The Best Weeding Tools: Your Essential Guide to Taming Garden Weeds, The Benefits of Organic Apple Tree Spray: Why You Should Use It in Your Orchard. It is being harvested faster than we could ever grow it, essentially making it non-renewable. So it can expand when you open the pack. I had a look at the academic literature surrounding the remediation of peatlands in Canada, and though promising things are happening thanks to smart, well-intentioned people, it's not clear that we've figured out how to do this sustainably. The actual moss can essentially be farmed. He has also had an allotment which was maintained using no-dig methods. Remember, dry peat repels water. In many ways, coco peat is considered the best and nearest alternative to peat moss on the market today. All coir-based compost will require extra (probably double) plant food. However, sphagnum moss can be a more sustainable soil amendment as it requires far less time to decompose than peat moss. Peat Moss: An Environmentally Poor Choice for Gardeners Peat moss does not have any plant nutrients that help a garden flourish.