Peat Moss
We love peat moss at the garden center because it is such a good team player and can really make a difference in the health of your favorite plants, inside and out. You can create your own blend of soil using 1 part peat moss for every 2 or 3 parts of vermiculite, perlite or compost.
Definition: Peat Moss is an organic material that comes from decomposing sphagnum moss and other organic matter found in peatlands (terrestrial wetlands). Grown in marshy bogs and wetlands in the northern hemisphere, peat moss has long been a gardener’s friend. Here are some reasons why you should use peat moss:
Pros:
- Peat moss is extremely lightweight and fibrous – it aerates compact soils and loosens them up, which is great for seedlings that are just starting out.
- It has excellent moisture retention and can improve poor soil structure.
- Peat moss increases the moisture holding capacity of these soils which allows for better root development and overall health of the plant. The peat moss absorbs and holds onto the moisture which is gradually released to the roots as needed. This also helps prevent soil from drying out too quickly on those hot summer days.
- Despite its ability to retain moisture, it also promotes good drainage in soil. It creates pore spaces in the soil allowing excess water to drain away which helps prevent waterlogging and root rot.
- Where Peat Moss really shines is with acid loving plants like azaleas, rhododendrons, or blueberry bushes. Peat moss is slightly acidic and can help acidify the surrounding soil by lowering the PH of alkaline soils.
- It can be added to your compost to help balance the carbon/nitrogen ratio which improves compost structure.
- Peat Moss is great for terrariums as it helps create a moist environment for plants that need high humidity.
Cons:
- Some say that you can use Peat Moss as a mulch – but with the wind on Nantucket it blows away before it can do anything of value when not mixed with the soil. Even under cover – I have doubts that the peat moss would be very effective at suppressing weeds.