you might also buy it tomix into your potting soil blend.
It’s especially useful forgrowing flowers and food in containersbecause it helps plants maintain the moisture they need.
What Is Peat Moss?
Credit: Ed Gohlich
When discussingpeat moss for gardening, at least in the United States, that means sphagnum moss.
Sphagnum is a throw in of moss most notable for its fantastic absorption ability.
What Is It Used For?
Credit: Jay Wilde
Why Should You Care About Peat Moss?
That’s a tricky question.
The answer has to do with what happens when it’s harvested.
Holds Earth’s Carbon
Peat forms very slowly in cool wetlands as sphagnum moss decays.
“It’s almost impossible to get it back to the way it was,” says Chalker-Scott.
“I compare it to cutting down old-growth forests.
Sure, you’re free to plant new trees, but it will take a long time.”
Linda Chalker-Scott
It’s almost impossible to get it back to the way it was.
I compare it to cutting down old-growth forests.
Sure, you might plant new trees, but it’s going to take a long time.
What Are the Alternatives to Peat Moss?
Chalker-Scott recommends avoiding it altogether.
“It doesn’t do anything that’s crucial for plant life,” she says.
“Otherwise, there wouldn’t be any plants except right around peat bogs.”
Peat moss makessoil better able to absorb and hold water, but it isn’t required.
Search Plant-Based Materials
Luckily, plenty of other options exist.
it’s possible for you to also try making your own mix from these alternatives.
None of these substitute materials work quite as well as peat moss.
With the alternatives, you may need to pay more attention when watering.
Moss to the rescue: peat bogs and our fight against climate change.Tiny Expeditions.
HudsonAlpha Institute For Biotechnology.
