Peat Moss And Gardening - Information About Sphagnum Peat Moss

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. ... Peat moss alone does not make a good potting medium.

1. Is sphagnum moss and peat moss the same?
2. What is sphagnum peat moss used for?
3. What is peat moss used for in gardening?
4. Is peat moss good for a vegetable garden?
5. Why is peat moss being banned?
6. Should I mix peat moss with soil?
7. Can you mix peat moss with garden soil?
8. Does peat moss help with drainage?
9. Does adding peat moss make soil acidic?
10. Is peat moss good for tomato plants?
11. Why does peat moss have few microorganisms?
12. Is peat moss good for lettuce?
13. How do I add peat moss to my garden?
14. What can I use instead of peat moss?
15. Why should gardeners not use peat?
16. Is peat moss dangerous?
17. Does peat moss attract bugs?
18. Does peat moss dry out?
19. Does peat moss help clay soil?

Is sphagnum moss and peat moss the same?

In truth, they're two different parts of the same plant, but the impact of their use is wildly different. Sphagnum moss is a plant that grows on the surface of soil or a swamp. ... Peat moss, on the other hand, is the layer of decaying, water-saturated sphagnum moss that has sunk below the surface.

What is sphagnum peat moss used for?

Peat moss is used by professionals and consumers to make growing media or to incorporate into a garden or landscape as soil conditioner. The most common use for peat moss is for producing professional and consumer growing media to grow plants. This is a field of sphagnum peat that is in the process of being harvested.

What is peat moss used for in gardening?

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.

Is peat moss good for a 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.

Why is peat moss being banned?

Millions of gardeners will be banned from using peat compost under new plans to protect Britain's bogs. ... Environment minister Richard Benyon said the ban would protect rare plants and animals in peatlands and prevent the release of half a million tons of greenhouse gases from disturbed bogs each year.

Should I mix peat moss with soil?

Even though peat moss can hold water well up to 10 times of its weight and is a great supplement to the soil. ... So when starting seeds with peat moss alone, be sure to get it moisture enough. Or it's a good idea to mix it with soils and some other soilless media.

Can you mix peat moss with garden soil?

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. ... It must be mixed with other ingredients to make up between one-third to two-thirds of the total volume of the mix.

Does peat moss help with drainage?

Peat moss improves the quality of garden and potting soil. It resists compaction and so provides aeration to soil beds, a necessity in heavy soils that otherwise would hold too much water instead of draining properly. Although peat moss aids drainage, it also absorbs moisture so the soil doesn't dry out too quickly.

Does adding peat moss make soil acidic?

Some very desirable plants like rhododendrons, azaleas and blueberries demand acidic soil and many gardeners have alkaline soil which is not suitable to grow these plants. Peat moss is acidic so it makes sense that if you add some to your soil, the resulting soil will also be more acidic. ...

Is peat moss good for tomato plants?

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. ... Break up large chunks of the dry material so that it is more manageable and the roots of the tomatoes can thrive.

Why does peat moss have few microorganisms?

Peat is derived from ancient sources of partially decomposed plants, including Sphagnum moss. The likelihood of the presence of plant pathogens in peat is extremely low, because it is harvested in remote areas where no crops have been cultivated at all. ... These microorganisms are natural and do not harm plant growth.

Is peat moss good for lettuce?

Soil for lettuce should be well drained, and dug deep – up to two feet – and kept loose and moist. If your soil is hard and claylike, till some sand and humus or peat moss into it. ... Vegetables such as beans will give your soil the nitrogen that lettuce needs to thrive on.

How do I add peat moss to my garden?

How to Use Peat Moss in the Garden

1. Application. Properly applying peat moss to soil mixes and as an amendment is important for the success of your garden. ...
2. As A Soil Amendment​ You can apply peat moss in a 2:1 ratio as a soil amendment, with two parts soil to one part peat moss. ...
3. As A Seed Starter​

What can I use instead of peat moss?

There are plenty of peat moss alternatives, including coconut coir, compost, bark or wood fibre, pine needles, leaf mold, and manure.

Why should gardeners not use peat?

The peat that is used to produce the garden compost is mainly derived from peat bogs. ... The intensive mining of peat has adverse effects on the climate, and destroys valuable ecosystems. Many rare and endangered species live in and around peat bogs and these are having their way of life threatened.

Is peat moss dangerous?

Fungal Disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that people who have contact with peat moss containing the fungus Sporothrix schenckii have the potential of contracting sporotrichosis. The fungal spores from the moss enter the blood stream through a cut or open would and infect the person.

Does peat moss attract bugs?

Sphagnum moss is a non-living potting medium, but it can attract various living creatures and annoying pests. ... Different pests have peculiar habits, so keep an eye out for peculiar actions, like: color, aggressiveness, night/day lifestyle, damage to leaves, and amount of eggs laid. What bugs live in sphagnum moss?

Does peat moss dry out?

Why. Potting soils often contains peat moss which is valued because it decomposes slowly, is lightweight, and retains water. Paradoxically though, when peat moss dries out it is very difficult to re-wet. Bags of potting soil can even dry out in storage.

Does peat moss help clay soil?

Peat moss will improve the structure of clay soil, but peat moss is generally quite acidic so limestone should be added as well (about five pounds per 100 square feet).