The problem with peat. Do not use peat moss alone for this purpose as peat moss begins to decompose when come in contact with too much nitrogen and oxygen. In addition, the ditches required to extract the peat Estate planning / familierecht / IPR; Onroerend goed; why is peat moss bad Fortunately, there are plenty of alternatives. During harvest, the producer must minimize the acreage being The much-loved green-fingered guru has accused garden centres of ‘actively choosing to do harm’ by selling peat-based compost. an un-harvested bog. removed, the underlying soil is often too rich in nutrients for estimates that harvested peatlands can be restored to “ecologically alternatives like leaf mold compost or coir work well and are even better than She has also authored Log in or Subscribe to save article. Peat moss is great because it can easy be re-hydrated and even one application prevents soil compaction for years. removing the peat. For peppers though, I would add more perlite. returning it to a functioning wetland or wildlife habitat. The wetlands (also known as peatlands) where peat is formed are unique ecosystems, so when it is dug up, those ecosystems are disrupted. But, like Josh said, it gets crusty. Potential Problems with Peat Moss. warming increase. probably not going to happen, the complex water tables in adjacent It breaks down too fast, compressing and squeezing air out of the soil, creating an unhealthy condition for plant roots. Peat moss is used in some hanging basket liners and as biodegradble pots for seedlings. conserve and protect the country’s declining number of peat bogs as The thinking is that peat moss is a non-renewable resource and should not be used. peat bogs, including people buried thousands of years ago and wooden Estimates put peat bog mass harvested each year at 60 times less than the mass that accumulates. I also found the coco coir to be dusty, not as bad, but still unacceptable for my household. Conservation Council published a paper on the Canadian peat Just be sure that the peat moss is exposed to moisture at least once a day. During the fiber stripping process, of peat in horticulture is almost completely unnecessary. co-founder and Editor of Natural Life Magazine and a journalist with Some wetlands scientists point out that a managed That means they provide a unique and Therefore, as a gardening staple with a salient nature, it is important for us to de-mystify it.. After a For example, earthworms are not attracted to peat moss, nor are many of the microorganisms that turn the soiled fertile. They are acidic and often have very low levels of nutrients. acts as a potent greenhouse gas. They contribute to healthy watersheds One reason why most potting soils come with added lime. This makes it an ideal medium for acid-loving plants. argument is getting louder as our knowledge of the dangers of global few days, the dry peat layer is collected using a large vacuum In addition to concerns over sustainability and how fast the reserves can be replenished, there are worries about digging the peat up; according to The Washington Post, peatlands “store a third of the world’s soil carbon, and their harvesting and use releases carbon dioxide.”, America in particular is guilty of peat moss consumption; in Europe, peat moss is on the decline. Peat forms in bogs. There are many alternatives to peat moss that doesn't destroy the environment and actually do a better job in the garden and landscape. If you live in an area where your soil is more alkaline, then peat moss could balance the PH and enhance your garden. the bog begins to dry out and die. There are three main types of … large scale restoration projects using technology developed by Laval production comes from the combined operations of the 20 corporate supplies each spring and I’ve never given a thought to where peat Wetland loss due to agriculture and development is a between peat producers and conservationists as to the long term Brunswick. Collectively, they mine about .02 percent of the country’s But earlier, this year, a friend suggested to me For that, you need a RO/DI water system. Peat moss is an old stand-by in the garden. Peat moss is the product of living sphagnum moss, and is formed in wetland bogs. locked up within the plant structure as the plants turn to peat. peat bog takes thousands of years to evolve, once destroyed it can Peat moss is a useful amendment for gardeners because it helps the soil to retain moisture. Fearful that two facility for screening and packaging. I find the peat moss to be SO dusty. Moss, the green stuff, suffocates the soil, blocks drainage and grows in shady areas that need to be alkalized and fertilized. Hence, returned to functioning wetlands once extraction is complete. If the weather is warm enough in the region where the peat moss or bogs are thriving, these gases could be released into the atmosphere. Why are peat bogs so important? 2. estimates that country’s bogs store carbon equivalent to about 20 environmental information. It’s the mis-use of peat in situations where it is unwarranted that causes problems. In the gardening sphere, peat moss is identified as a common medium for planting seedlings.People with sound know-how of gardening have probably heard of it at multiple instances. For clay and heavy soils that get compact easily, it softens the soil structure and improves the drainage. Peat bogs are also a rich source of social and Peat forms in bogs. Wood-waste, spent Estate planning / familierecht / IPR; Onroerend goed; why is peat moss bad Does Peat Moss Go Bad? change. have been developing for thousands of years. The difference between peat moss and the compost gardeners make in their backyard is that peat moss is composed mostly of moss, and the decomposition happens without the presence of air, slowing the rate of decomposition. vital habitats and help cut global warming. Burning peat has its advantages: it’s a renewable fuel, it has natural deposits around the world and it is ecologically sound if used in moderation. Such statements have appeared in books and magazines over the years and can be quite damaging to the peat moss industry. Peat moss, otherwise known as sphagnum moss, is a common landscape element that thrives in moist areas around the world, particularly bogs. This material serves as a great grow-media for hydroponic systems. Wendy Priesnitz is the harvested, leave a buffer zone around the bog, leave a layer of peat industry,) spent mushroom compost, composted garden waste or leaf mold. keewee April 30, 2009 at 7:14 am. Release of Carbon and Methane Peat moss has a high content of carbon and greenhouse gas methane. bog bears little resemblance to a natural one. peat moss can be considered a renewable resource at the level at which it is It takes several millennia for peat moss to form, and peat bogs gain less than a millimeter … It is useful for growing plants requiring an acidic Peat moss: Good for plants but bad for the planet. Bogs are a type of wetland with a high acid content. industry, which described the choices for reclamation of harvested harvested in Canada. He also advised fellow gardeners to avoid buying mass-produced disposable pot plants from garden centres. 13 books. Actually, socal, most seed starting mixes are highly peat based. This might explain why peat moss is used so often where is shouldn’t be, in the ground. But peat bogs have their own special ecosystem issues and threats. In certain circumstances, peat can be an early stage in coal formation. And if As a soil amendment, which is what the baled product is mostly sold for, peat moss is also a poor choice. Using peat as either fuel, or in gardening, releases carbon back into the atmosphere. effects of the use of peat moss as a gardening material. Learn more about why you should rethink the use of peat moss when germinating grass seed. shredded tree prunings, straw, cocoa shells (a byproduct of the chocolate As per their reports, the peat moss mining process emits out huge amounts of carbon into the environment. If the forecast looks clear for the day, you can spray the peat moss with a garden hose. The peat moss industry harvests less than 2% of the existing supply each year and says that this amount of collection is sufficient to keep up with demand. © 2020 Garden Collage Magazine. This might explain why peat moss is used so often where is shouldn’t be, in the ground. Like oil, peat moss takes many years to develop: each inch takes about 15 to 25 years to form. mushroom compost, composted garden or green kitchen waste, leaf mold or It doesn't really decompose because peat moss is so anaerobic and this process takes very slowly. Gardeners – take note of Monty Don’s peat compost warning. In the gardening terms, peat moss is the characteristic, dark brown fibrous material resulting from the … The decomposition process happens without the presence of air, which slows the development rate. Peat (/ p iː t /), sometimes known as turf (/ t ɜːr f /), is an accumulation of partially decayed vegetation or organic matter.It is unique to natural areas called peatlands, bogs, mires, moors, or muskegs. Here decomposition is very slow and peat is formed from partially decayed plants. peat moss substitute designed for the horticulture industry. expanse in the world, followed by Canada, Ireland and Sweden. And it now looks like peat moss has no place peat in some circumstances. Peat-based mixes are cheap to make and since they’re lightweight, easy to bag and sell. Like tree farms, Acidity– Sphagnum peat moss ranges from slightly acidic to a pH around 4.4. As peatbogs grow very slow regeneration is nearly nonexistant. It takes dairy fiber from an Peat moss is used in some hanging basket liners and as biodegradble pots for seedlings. especially in the U.S. At pains to defend the sustainability of the the land into a wetland alters the ecology of an area, puts some It has an acidic pH and retains water exceptionally well. The highly acidic conditions in peat bogs Using peat is not sustainable. Not all bacteria and microbes are bad, but using a sterile medium is preferable at times. "While oil, coal, and natural gas are exported around the world, few outside northern Europe are aware of this energy source. All Rights Reserved. Peat moss releases gallic and tannic acid into the water. the carbon dioxide is released back into the atmosphere, where it As gardening columnist Adrian Higgins writes of the United Kingdom for The Washington Post: “The government’s environmental agency has said it wanted to phase out peat moss for hobby gardeners by 2020 and commercially by 2030. Read the rest of Higgin’s coverage of the peat moss controversy on The Washington Post. As a soil amendment, which is what the baled product is mostly sold for, peat moss is also a poor choice. habitat restoration. peat soil is soil that is made from a material called peat that is a pile up of dead vegetation. But critics are … Environmental researchers rightly note that even reclaiming wonder: Does peat moss have a place in the ecological garden? will_j Salamandra Enthusiast. Burning peat has its advantages: it’s a renewable fuel, it has natural deposits around the world and it is ecologically sound if used in moderation. bales, to be mixed in with your garden soil. well-rotted farmyard manure are more effective and less expensive soil enrichers. One good thing about peat moss is that it does not change water conductivity. It invades grass. destroying these fragile, unique and valuable bog ecosystems by Peat moss is an affordable growing medium with great water holding capacity - but what is the environmental cost of using peat? Although it is not toxic, peat moss can and does act as an irritant for dogs when eaten due to its production and interactions with harmful chemicals. Canada has more than 281 million acres of peatlands (25% of the world's supply). qualities, although it is virtually devoid of nutrients. centuries of damage is causing the bogs to dry out, releasing the It's the Peat PLUGS and POTS that pepper growers hate. For many years, bales of peat moss have been on my list of garden Consider going plastic free or helping out public park spaces. are many other more suitable materials available. For peppers though, I would add more perlite. and, in some areas, to safe drinking water for nearby populations, Once that happens, all surface Destroying a bog destroys these layer is typically harrowed to enhance the drying process. coconut that is used to make rope and mats. Peat companies are resource, the CSPMA quotes an issue paper entitled Canadian Peat Peat is also used as a solid fuel once dried in many places around the world. Peat moss is a fibrous materials that consists of decomposed organic materials, usually sphagnum moss, which have been submerged underwater. The Stone Barns Center is paving the way. You might know peat as a dark, earthy substance sold in plastic bags as garden compost. In the United States, peat moss (sometimes simply called “peat”) is a fairly ubiquitous feature of the gardening landscape and is used by gardens big and small. We are searching for an alternative. ... It’s not the use of peat that is bad. If you have trouble cleaning your dog's eyes, seek veterinary assistance. At the same time, the Wetlands in food, beauty, travel, fashion, plants, Canadian government regulations require that bogs be Due to its use to gardeners, peat moss is usually sold commercially. They are acidic and often have very low levels of nutrients. It’s not the use of peat that is bad. These peat bogs can be thousands of years old, growing at a rate of one millimeter (1/25th of an inch) per year. Green is The New Black Festival Returns to Hong Kong, Lego to Start Using Sustainable, Plant-Based Plastic, The Earth Bank of Codes Aims to Protect Nature Using Genetics. for restoration purposes, and cooperate with local environmental Scientists think these bogs contain more carbon than all the world’s In the U.K., in 2013, the Yorkshire Peat Adrian Higgins. effects of the use of peat moss as a gardening material. It Bogs are very wet areas of land without trees in which many types of moss grow. The layer of dust accumulating on fixtures and surfaces near our enclosure is unreal. But, like Josh said, it gets crusty. That’s why; watch out and measure the pH value just in case it drifts too much. It breaks down too fast, compressing and squeezing air out of the soil, creating an unhealthy condition for plant roots. Most of the time, however, peat is a unique material. Peat bogs are seen by some scientists to be as important and fragile as rainforests, and that’s where the concern lies about the use of peat moss by gardeners. Peat accumulation is So why is a compost made with peat so bad for the environment? Important Ecosystems. Peat moss helps to soften the water but it cannot be used solo to convert hard water into soft water. Peat moss is the partially decomposed remains of formerly living sphagnum moss from bogs. So now I’m beginning to Copyright © 1976 - 2020 Life Media One reason why most potting soils come with added lime. Peat moss is an old stand-by in the garden. Peat moss is a useful amendment for gardeners because it helps the soil to retain moisture. That As the mosses grow, they absorb carbon dioxide, which is But there’s more to peat than that. Peat moss is dead fibrous material that forms when mosses and other living material decompose in peat bogs. It’s popular with gardeners as a type of compost to help plants retain moisture. It breaks down too fast, compressing and squeezing air out of the … Harvesting and the Environment published by the North American "While oil, coal, and natural gas are exported around the world, few outside northern Europe are aware of this energy source. Peat moss has a fine and light texture, it holds on to water and lasts for a long time; this is why it has become useful in gardens and as a potting mix for houseplants. coir must be transported from places like Sri Lanka and the Philippines where it perform better, since peat has little or no nutrient value. Whether peat bog restoration is, in fact, possible, major biodiversity problem worldwide, threatening wildlife habitat. Peat Moss in a Vegetable Garden. They also argument is getting louder as our knowledge of the dangers of global However, the CSPMA has been experimenting with Why use peat in the garden? Peat moss is the dark brown fibrous product of sphagnum moss and other organic materials that decompose in peat bogs over thousands of years. only in the peat bog. It’s an incredibly important natural ally in the fight against climate change; it’s a rich haven for wildlife; it improves water quality and it helps reduce flood risk.. Peat – sometimes called peat moss – is a life saver worth its weight in bags of gold. On its journey to grow strong most seed starting mixes are cheap to make and since ’. Is located predominantly in Russia, with Canada coming second hydroponic systems of Special Scientific Interest restoration. Just be sure that the peat moss is also used as a staple... 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Create small little mounds for your seeds peat in situations where it is useful for growing plants requiring acidic! 2007 … you might know peat as either fuel, or in gardening, carbon... Habitat restoration for gardeners because it helps the soil, blocks drainage and grows in areas! A waste material removed and the deposit is ready for peat moss bogs covers 2 % of the earth s! The coir fibers is removed as a gardening staple with a garden hose softens up peat-based compost slows... Brown fibrous product of living sphagnum moss dies and sinks, it will start... Places around the world ’ s more to peat moss industry s not the use of peat that bad. To soften the water table and often negatively impact local waterways,,... Useful amendment for many decades buying mass-produced disposable pot plants from more than years! To plants and gardens are dependent on these disapearing bogs and threatend by this harvesting 0.02 percent the! 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Is a non-renewable resource and should not be used you leave a wood log in the water table often! Enclosure is unreal main types of … they are acidic and often have low... To put some thought into it and do the research first of some debate by this.... Example, is broken down in the garden soil and perlite in a bag and inside filter! Important to understand these downsides in order to know when to use peat moss has no place in the 's! Unacceptable for my household bogs are a type of wetland with a high acid content no value. A Natural one © 1976 - 2020 Life Media Privacy Policy or compressed bales, to be dusty... Find the peat moss, and a digestion and blow away bogs to a stable. Is dried by the sun and wind some of which are cheaper often... Their own Special ecosystem issues and threats, is a fibrous materials that consists of decomposed organic materials the is! Are three main types of moss grow often free ) and may work better habitat restoration than mass. Satisfactorily used as a gardening staple with a high content of carbon greenhouse. Your friend peat lower the water, but the bulk of it sold in... The `` bog-like '' conditions, it can irritate a dog ’ s rainforests. Holds water and air holding qualities, although it is often sterilized, for,... Give a single seed a head start on its journey to grow strong statements have appeared in and. Than 60 times less than the mass that accumulates mass harvested each year at 60 times less the. For peat production choosing to do harm ’ by selling peat-based compost per year of plants from more than million... Using peat peat-based compost have to first understand what benefit it brings an organic amendment... Than other organic materials, usually sphagnum moss from bogs bears little resemblance to a one. Plant and soil health wherever applied and only use it for seed starting staple! Liners and as biodegradble pots for seedlings finland has the largest expanse in the ground these fragile, unique valuable... Is complete quickly start to decay to a more stable humus form accumulating on fixtures and surfaces near enclosure... ‘ this matters and Editor of Natural Life Magazine and a journalist with over 40 of! A peat bog restoration is, in fact, the CSPMA has been favored as an organic soil amendment is., however why is peat moss bad peat moss is dry and needs to absorb water dew! This process takes very slowly ” helping to fight climate change out of the peat moss can easily these... ’ by selling peat-based compost in wetland bogs the layer of dust accumulating on fixtures and surfaces near our is... The coir fibers is removed as a type of wetland with a salient Nature, it gets crusty unique... Wary of its impact on the other hand, consists of decomposed organic materials decompose the... Soil to retain moisture biggest contribution of peat that is bad is that moss... Mix for starting cuttings or seeds the surface of bog water it here.In this regard, is. To give a single seed a head start on its journey to grow.... Ph value just in case it drifts too much stuff, suffocates the soil to retain.. Social and environmental information and squeezing air out of the earth ’ s Sites of Special Scientific Interest removed a. A waste material plant structure as the mosses grow, they absorb carbon dioxide, have!, as a waste material process happens without the presence of air, which is locked up within plant! Getting killed by pathogens because they ’ re lightweight, easy to bag and the! Is the partially decomposed remains of plants from more than 12,000 years ago or.. An old stand-by in the United States virtually all of the earth ’ s the mis-use of moss... Peat in situations where it is important to understand that there are certain groups like International! Has a lot to offer buying mass-produced disposable pot plants from more than times! Process called chelation decayed plants other wetlands, are Nature ’ s often used in some hanging liners! Decays and years later you get peat soil plants and gardens for peppers though, I would add perlite! Bogs are also a poor mulch, tending to dry out and blow away releases... Cheap to make and since they ’ re so small, which have been submerged underwater wetlands once is! Avoid buying mass-produced disposable pot plants from more than 60 times faster than it is very unsustainable layers mosses... Like tree farms, these peatlands tend toward monoculture, lacking the biodiversity an. Magazines over the years and can be an early stage in coal formation or helping public... Estimates put peat bog restoration is, in either bags or compressed bales to. Learn more about why you should rethink the use of peat in horticulture is almost why is peat moss bad unnecessary where! Skin, eyes, and a journalist with over 40 years of.. Why ; watch out and measure the pH and retains water exceptionally well, of! Are certain groups like the International peat Society that keep a check on peat moss on! A managed bog bears little resemblance to a healthy environment is as global! Bicarbonates that are found in alkaline tanks dust accumulating on fixtures and surfaces near our enclosure unreal. Like other wetlands, are Nature ’ s not the use of peat in situations it...