Table of Contents
Most of us know peat moss for its horticultural uses to provide better soil aeration, add substance to sandy soils, to help the soil hold nutrients more effectively, and to help retain soil moisture without being waterlogged. It also is a major component of soilless potting mixes.
What is peat moss used for?
Peat Moss Uses Gardeners use peat moss mainly as a soil amendment or ingredient in potting soil. It has an acid pH, so it’s ideal for acid loving plants, such as blueberries and camellias. For plants that like a more alkaline soil, compost may be a better choice.
Why is it bad to use peat moss?
Most of the gardeners suggested that peat moss was a mulch to put on top of the soil. As a soil amendment, which is what the baled product is mostly sold for, peat moss is also a poor choice. It breaks down too fast, compressing and squeezing air out of the soil, creating an unhealthy condition for plant roots.
Should I add peat moss to my soil?
Peat moss helps the soil hold nutrients by increasing what is called the CEC or “cation exchange capacity.” Peat moss has a low pH, so if you use much, lime should be added as well. Plants that do well in acidic soils, termed “ericaceous” such as blueberries and rhododendrons, benefit from peat moss.
What plants is peat moss good for?
Because of its low pH, peat moss is very suitable for vegetables and fruits that require an acidic environment. These include blueberries, pieris, heathers, azaleas, camellias, tomatoes, and so on.
Is peat good for plants?
Around 70 per cent of peat is used in horticulture, much by amateur gardeners who have long considered it the best way of encouraging plant growth. It is rich in nutrients, being made up of partially decomposed plant material that has not decayed fully because of local conditions.
How do you use peat moss plants indoors?
Soak your peat thoroughly before adding it into your potting soil. Place it in a bucket and fill it up with water, stirring the peat around and letting it sit for a few minutes. It’s naturally a bit moisture-resistant at first, so it takes a little while to start absorbing water.
Is peat moss good for potted plants?
Almost any potted plant you can buy grows in a soil mix that contains peat moss, and most bagged potting soil does, too. It’s especially useful for growing flowers and food in containers because it helps these thirsty plants get the moisture they need.
Should I use peat moss in my raised bed?
Peat moss is used to add structure and water holding capacity to your raised beds. Oddly it both promotes great drainage and holds water that plant roots can access as needed. Peat moss has a rather wide quality range and using the best quality peat moss you can afford is recommended.
What can I use instead of peat moss?
Peat Moss Alternatives Coconut Coir. Coconut coir, also known as coco peat or coir peat, is rapidly gaining popularity and is the best-known alternative to peat moss. Wood-Based Materials. Compost. Pine Needles. Rice Hulls. Leaf Mold. Composted Manure.
Can I plant grass seed in peat moss?
Peat moss can be added to seeds immediately after planting or after the seeds have germinated. No matter what stage the grass seeds are at, cover the area with about 1/4 inch of peat moss. Immediately water the peat moss lightly with a water sprayer set on mist.
What grows well in peat soil?
Peatlands and farming – an overview Lowland peatland sites can be excellent for growing cereals, fruit and vegetables because of their fertile soils. For example, a large marshy area of eastern England, known as the Fens, was drained in the 17th century and has since become a major hub for British food production.
Do tomatoes like peat moss?
Benefits of Peat Moss The sterile environment that peat moss provides is perfect for growing plump and tasty tomatoes, according to Epic Gardening. The sphagnum peat moss potting mix helps the seedlings to grow strong roots.
Can you mix peat moss with garden soil?
One thing that sets peat moss apart is its high capacity to absorb water. It can retain water far better than your average soil. When you mix it with your soil, it significantly increases the water retention rate of your soil. This ensures that your plant can enjoy better access to water for improved growth.
How do I add peat moss to my garden?
How to Use Peat Moss in the Garden Apply peat moss in a 2–3 inch layer in your garden, and incorporate it into the top 12″ of soil. For containers and raised beds, use between 1/3 and 2/3 peat moss into your potting soil mix or compost.
Is peat moss good for flower beds?
Peat moss shouldn’t be used as a mulch for your flowerbed. Its ability to hold water makes it an excellent soil additive, but not a good mulch. It can hoard the water rather than letting it seep through into the soil, which can dehydrate your plants.
Is peat moss good for vegetable garden?
In the vegetable garden, peat moss can moderate extremes in soil dryness and wetness. In fact, these acid-loving plants — and many other fruits and vegetables — benefit from peat moss’s lower pH. The product’s sterility means it won’t introduce weeds, diseases or pathogens that can quickly ruin a vegetable garden.
Do weeds grow in peat moss?
Does peat moss contain weed seed that cause problems in crops? The short answer is that it is highly doubtful. Most greenhouse weeds are not indigenous to areas in and around peat bogs, so their seed would not be found in the peat.
