It’s become increasingly apparent how important it is to know what’s in the food we eat- so it should be just as vital to understand the nutrients our plants are receiving (..and where they’re coming from). For decades, a vast majority of our soils amendments have been through the utilization of Peat. Peat moss is commonly grouped together with Sphagnum moss, although they are used for two different purposes. Sphagnum moss is grown and harvested above wetlands, where Peat moss can be found below resembling dry soil. Sphagnum moss is a living plant typically used to line baskets, while Peat moss has decayed long before it hits the shelves of the home and garden store.
Why use Peat Moss?
The use of Peat in horticulture is to help our soils retain moisture and nutrients while softening the structure of the soil. Peat moss is made up of plant materials that have been submerged underwater in bogs and break down into what we know as ‘peat’ over time. It is lightweight, can hold more than 10x its weight in water and when sold to the public is free of pathogens. It contains a pH level that is ideal for acid loving plants, which is preferable for many plants such as strawberries and wisteria. Peat is also free from bacteria, fungus, or weeds and is ideal for seedlings as they are extremely sensitive to their environment. A small application of Peat moss will go a long way and last your plant for years.
In Canada alone, there are over 280 million acres of peatlands (that’s more than a third of the world’s peatlands). When it is harvested, the surface of the vegetation is exposed so that it can be harrowed to speed the process of drying it out. To extract the Peat, a vacuum harvester is used so that there is minimal disturbance to the Peat fibers. This harvesting however means taking away a valuable carbon sequester.
What are the disadvantages?
Peat is an incredibly valuable carbon store as it locks in massive amounts from the atmosphere into plant tissues through photosynthesis. When it is extracted, this releases carbon back into the air causing pollution and damage to the ozone layer. When an entire bog is taken away, the biodiversity that depended on the bog is sometimes irreversibly damaged.
To combat this loss, Peatlands are being restored by use of donor sites. Plant fragments are used from neighboring bogs and transported to the restoration area without harming the donor site (due to lower fragments still remaining). Sphagnum moss is then added to the top layer, allowing self-regulatory mechanisms to regrow from the moss carpet. However, without proper human intervention, this process can take hundreds of years to grow back to its previous state.
What are the alternatives?
If you’re concerned about the impacts of using Peat, there are many available alternatives to switch to. Coco coir is rapidly becoming a more favorable resource to use as a replacement for Peat. The Coco Coir includes the surface between the shell and the outer coating of a coconut seed. To extract the coir, coconut husks are soaked in water and softened so that the fibers can be readily removed from the husks. Like Peat, Coco coir can absorb 10x its weight in water and it is suitable for a wide range of pH levels. Given that the inside of the coconut is typically the star of the show, this makes using the Coir a zero waste product as this reduces waste that would occur during coconut processing.
Another inexpensive and renewable source to use alternatively of Peat is compost. Compost is a natural and waste free way of restoring soil structure and water retention. The benefits of including Compost in your mix is that it aids in soil fertility and therefore minimizes your need to focus on added fertilizers. This addition will also aid in strengthening your soil microbes and roots. Utilizing this process of compost is the most sustainable way to benefit your plants or garden. In this case, less waste will improve your overall carbon footprint while also benefiting your garden.