why is peat moss bad for the environment
Published 1 June 23. I appreciate the ethical manner in which the peat industry in Canada is focused on proper management and harvesting practices. It contains little to no nutrients and requires constant work. Once you find the pH is raising, add some peat again to lower the pH. sphagnum peat moss holds moisture in dry conditions. It is a high quality horticultural peat product. its very helpful. Peat moss is mainly composed of moss whereas composting ingredients can be almost anything, that is biodegradable. It can retain water much better than other types of soils. You can however apply fresh manure to your garden after the fall harvest, or in the spring as it is turned over and given at least a month before seeds are planted. Remember that one is alive and from the surface (Sphagnum), the other is dead and from underneath. Pine needles are best used as a top dressing or mulch for plants or trees. "It doesn't do anything that's crucial for plant life," she says. Peat Bogs are carbon sinks; the harvesting of peat moss releases CO 2, promoting global warming. If peat moss is used as a mulch, it can dry out soils by absorbing water from them. Canada supplies up to 80% of North Americas peat moss. There is also the fact that, while peat moss is favorably sterile and free of weed seeds, it does not contain any nutrients in itself. Some of these, you can even make without spending a single extra cent. Sapric peat moss: This is the most decomposed form. Nova Scotia, Prince Edward, New Brunswick, Quebec, 2022-2023 Canadian Extended Winter Forecast, Gardening by the Moon | Planting Calendar, Groundhog Day: Forecast, Facts, and Folklore, Saint Patrick's Day: History, Folklore, and Ideas, Thanksgiving Day (Recipes, Traditions and Trivia). Download the latest essay from our Megamorphosis series now. The wetlands here comprise close to half of the state. By. Alternatively, you can contact your local garden centers and get the soil tested. No gardener guilt here! 'Waste sheep wool is another peat moss alternative I've used successfully as a professional gardener,' says Drew Swainston. These plants love the acidic soil environment and peat moss helps in achieving that. It has a pH of around 4-5. Two separate chambers allow one side to finish composting while leaving the other side available to add fresh wastes; Constant alternation of the two sides will create an uninterrupted stream of nutritious compost. The debate rages over whether peat moss is truly bad for the environment. So the peat problem hasn't gone away, it's just been passed to other countries where peat should also be protected. The environmental and ecological impact form this is evident. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, without any added cost to you. When adding manure to your soil, be sure to let your manure fully compost before spreading it. Learn more about why coir is the best peat moss alternative in this article. I had a look at the academic literature surrounding the remediation of peatlands in Canada, and though promising things are happening thanks to smart, well-intentioned people, its not clear that weve figured out how to do this sustainably. Even though it retains water, peat moss prevents soil from becoming too water-logged because it releases moisture slowly. They provide nesting and migratory flyways for many kinds of birds, spawning grounds for certain fish species, ideal habitat conditions for many amphibians and insects, unique plants such as many sundew species, and much more than this. Even though there's no one-size-fits-all solution for avoiding peat moss, there are more sustainable options for providing your potted plants with what they need to thrive. This renewable and organic resource helps to increase soil carbon and improves beneficial microbes in your soil, improving plant growth. Green-waste compost contains a lot of nutrients, but they are released more slowly, especially nitrogen, so they may need an initial boost of feed.'. When choosing your wood-based materials, be sure to use ones that come from untreated wood, Locally sourced is best if you can find it, as this will help ensure the health of your soil. Despite these restoration efforts, peat probably can't be harvested again for a thousand years or more, at least not in the same quantities from the same bog. Admin Table of Contents [ hide] 1 Why is sphagnum moss bad? Peat moss is the primary ingredient for most soilless potting mixes. Read More What is A Potting Mix. With the alternatives, you may need to pay a little more attention when watering. will spruce needles work as good as pine needles? Container-grown plants also like the material because it helps retain needed moisture in the soil. These methods and sharing knowledge will improve soil and plant health everywhere! Remember, peat forms very, very slowly in cool wetlands as sphagnum moss decays. In fact, when left undisturbed in its natural state, peat moss serves its surroundings in some great ways! In addition, the regular harvesting of sphagnum moss can also affect the ability of peat moss to form over time, as the two are closely united in the ecosystem. As a result, it cannot add nutrients to the soil. Peat moss is a soil amendment that is a dark-brown fibrous material used as a planting medium for growing plants. The strategy guiding the work for The Ecologist for the years 2023 to 2026 has now been published. I asked Stephanie Boudreau, Science Coordinator Biologist (M.Sc.) Learn about potting mixes, their components, and the characteristics of a good potting mix. Sphagnum Moss Vs. Peat Moss: What's the Difference? (& How to Use Each) Read More 5 Reasons Why You Should Be Growing Strawberries In Coco CoirContinue, We use affiliate links to run our site. Daniel Moss. Peat is acidic (low pH) and limestone is usually added to the mix to neutralize the acidic reaction and balance the pH. Benefits of using peat moss in hydroponics: 1. Our aim is to educate and inform as many people as possible about the wonders of nature, the crisis we face and the best solutions and methods in managing that crisis. Thank you for this article. Peat bogs are home to many important floral, fauna and animal species. Often, you will hear of sphagnum moss directly related to peat moss. Peat moss: Good for plants but bad for the planet? | Environment Prairie farmers in Canada use it extensively. Many gardeners use peat moss to help fertilize plants, but this method can result in soil degradation and nutrient-deficient crops. But we dont recommend that. But many folks dont know that there are some questionable environmental impacts of peat mossand a lot of doubt about its sustainability. Why Gardeners Should Stop Using Peat, and What to Use Instead Learn more about why coir is the best peat moss alternative in this article. Soil amendment products like peat moss do not really have any shelf life. When Political Refugees Become Climate Refugees. Here are 3 main reasons why you should not use peat moss as mulch: 1. It is also good for holding water, and air. It is often referred to as the universal soil conditioner for its benefits to the soil. Alaska is the most prominent exception here, as most of this states wetlands still exist. Why is peat bad for the environment - The Telegraph It provides many advantages to gardens, making it an inexpensive, renewable, and locally sourced alternative to peat moss. "Otherwise there wouldn't be any plants except right around peat bogs." document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This is voodoo science. That carbon stays in the bog, locked away from the atmosphere. She currently resides on Long Island, New York, with her husband, children, and dog. When peat moss is harvested, carbon dioxide is released, and carbon dioxide is a major contributor to climate change. When we're talking about peat moss for gardening, at least in the US, we're talking about sphagnum moss. Many municipalities also offer free wood chips for residents to use. Subscribe now from just 6 and receive issues full of inspiring real homes, expert project advice and on-trend shopping, Issues delivered direct to your door or device. It is being harvested faster than we could ever grow it, essentially making it non-renewable. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. While admittedly energy is consumed moving peat from a bog in Canada to my garden, there is no release of carbon dioxide. It also features heavily in quite a good deal of popular, off-the-shelf potting soils and soil amendment mixes. Peat moss is very helpful in growing vegetables and plants that love an acidic environment. Swapping to peat moss alternatives, such as homemade compost, will be your biggest step, but you also need to ensure that the plants you buy from growers aren't in peat. Rather than collecting the soil from a particular place, use a bucket and put an equal amount of soil from different parts of your garden and mix it. When the demand outpaces natural production, there is a danger of over-farming. Garry Coward-Williams adds: 'Unlike peat, coir-based compost does not hold water evenly from top to bottom, so for baskets and containers the top soil may appear to be bone dry at the top but actually the bottom is soaking. It also leads to the ultimate destruction of bog habitat that supports many birds, small mammals, insects, and microbial habitats. In addition, coco peat has naturally occurring antifungal qualities, making it an even more nutrient-dense alternative to peat moss. Having worked for Gardeningetc.com for two years, she now writes about plants and outdoor living for Homes & Gardens. Ever heard of trench compositing? Once you have the test results in your hand you can plan accordingly. Wetlands are the most highly threatened ecosystems on earth and therefore, it is of vital importance that we be the best stewards of these areas that we can be. 2. Learn more Have you ever thought about growing plants without soil? This includes how it helps prevent flooding, purifies water, and absorbs carbon dioxide from the surrounding environment. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is working to reduce wetland loss in many other regions of the U.S.A. through restoration, reducing drainage loss and other management and awareness projects, including promoting education. Peat is created from organic matter that is submerged in the bogs. There is some ongoing debate about whether it should be considered a fossil fuel or renewable fuel. All rights reserved. Why Is Peat Moss Bad? - The Gardening Talk Easter: Why Is It a Different Date Each Year? I had a look at the academic literature surrounding the remediation of peatlands in Canada, and though promising things are happening thanks to smart, well-intentioned people, it's not clear that we've figured out how to do this sustainably. Manure is fully organic and highly renewable; in fact, it helps to improve the presence of carbon in the soil, rather than depleting it, and helps both the soil and your plants to be at their most nutrient-dense state. Peat is usually included in a mix to increase the water-holding capacity or to decrease the weight. Find out what is peat moss, does it hold water, or go bad? In an ever-changing, unpredictable world, its an anchor for traditions and our sense of identity. Daylight Saving: When Does the Time Change? Drew is a former professional gardener who has worked in historic gardens for the National Trust in the UK and also as a specialist grower in kitchen gardens, growing vegetables and fruit for chefs. The Best Glazed Carrots Recipe Youve Ever Tasted. The debate rages over whether peat moss is truly bad for the environment. Sphagnum moss is often referred to as peat moss because it is marketed and sold in this decayed state. This can help in training gardeners everywhere to create and source sustainable and high-nutrient amendments. Even if it'll take hundreds of years for the peat to regrow, the bogs are on their way to becoming functioning ecosystems again, even if they won't ever be identical to the way they were before. Compost is easy to make from your table scraps and fantastic for the health of your soil. She is dedicated to healthy living through body and mind. Jessica Karl. In addition, while it is often used to aid in water retention, peat moss that is allowed to dry out can also hamper water absorption in the long term. It can take a long time for fully dried peat moss to allow moisture to soak through again, which can dehydrate your plants. Winter Solstice: When is it, and What is it? Coir compost has a great water-retention capacity and I found it worked brilliantly as a potting compost. Compost is not a new amendment for most gardeners; however, it can also be used as an effective peat moss alternative. Chalker-Scott recommends avoiding it completely. Well-rotted manure can be ordered, either from local garden centers or local farms or riding centers. Canada is the world's largest exporter of horticultural peat moss, producing 1.3 million metric tons annually. Its even sold by the bale in many places! 'There is also no guarantee of consistency of content with many peat-free brands because producers have problems sourcing consistent volumes of materials. Peat, which forms in wetlands, is a deposit of partially decayed vegetation matter. Learn how peat mossa common element of container gardeningaffects climate change and what you can use as a sustainable alternative. In this regard, why is peat bad for the environment? They can store, on average, 10 times more carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), the leading greenhouse gas, than other ecosystems. Donate to The Ecologist and support high impact environmental journalism and analysis. Essential information for anyone planning to grow plants in containers. Test this soil using a pH testing kit. Peat moss provides a sterile medium, which is ideal for planting and growing your plants. The Editor Garry Coward-Williams, together with H&G's garden expert, Drew Swainston, have this advice. Chances are, due to the conditions required to create true peat moss and the very, very long time it takes for the compounds to break down in this environment, you would never be able to create peat moss on your own. It is a good way of getting nutrients organically. If you have ever watered a parched plant and seen the moisture literally run off the surface and down the sides of the pot, thats whats happening. Garry Coward-Williams has been Editor of Amateur Gardening magazine, sister title to Homes & Gardens and the oldest gardening periodical in the world, for five years. Both are used for horticultural purposes, specifically to aid in soil retention and amendment. Place several drops of peppermint oil on cotton balls and then place them around the house, especially where mice are frequenting and in areas where they are entering your home. Do Peat Pots Really Decompose? Peat Pot Pros And Cons - Tiny Garden Habit As the decomposition happens in an anaerobic (without oxygen) state, the process takes millennials to form a thick layer of dead homogeneous material or peat moss. This may simply be an oversight though. The bog also gives support to rare and endangered animals like dragonflies, frogs, and birds. What Is Peat Moss? Uses in Gardens and Potted Plants - The Spruce A majority of the worlds supply is grown in Russia, however, most of the peat moss used in the United States is harvested from the sphagnum bogs of Canada. "I compare it to cutting down old-growth forests. Wetlands such as peatlands are the home to a vast diversity of flora and fauna. One such medium is peat moss. . The use of peat moss in gardening and agriculture has become very popular due to its water-retaining ability (can hold up to 20 times its weight) and rich nutrient content. However, the difference comes from the way they are harvested. I invite you to visit a wetlands park near to you that has a portion open to the public for learning, increased understanding, awareness and appreciation of the importance of wetlands around the world, and this includes peatlands. LECA also helps to aerate the roots and promote healthy growth. When you see it, you'll know that at least there's been an attempt to restore harvested bogs. Wetlands provide carbon sinks, storing large amounts of carbon and are therefore important in the context of climate change, reducing the impact of global warming and in lessening levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. 'Choose one brand of peat-free, learn how to get the best out of it and use that brand consistently. Peat moss by itself is difficult to wet, so wetting agents are added to the mix to make it wet easier. The truth about peat moss - The Ecologist Black gold helps with drainage, attracts beneficial earthworms, and provides nutritional value. We are living in an insane world where CO2, the lifeblood of every plant and tree on the planet, is officially considered a pollutant. I hope this post was helpful to you. Now, sourcing a soil conditioner closer to home would be a positive for the environment, but not this carbon nonsense. Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. The long fiber sphagnum that you can buy is much more sustainable than the peat. The decayed and dried sphagnum peat moss is usually referred to as simply peat moss. Because of its ability to hold water and nutrients well, peat moss is a good choice for hydroponic gardens. Is Peat Moss Bad For The Environment? The popularity of peat has also caused some controversy when it comes to resourcing. Peat moss often makes up 30-80% of potting mixes. Rice hulls can also work like straw as a mulch to retain moisture and fend off weeds. In much of Europe most of the peat bog wetlands have disappeared or have been damaged extensively, through overharvesting over a long period of time, and by drainage to allow for the development of agricultural land and urban sprawl. There's a difference between peat and sphagnum moss. Additionally, peat moss can take up a lot of water, making mixing into other soils difficult. It opens the soil for better air circulation and water movement. That is one of the reasons they are shy about declaring the exact mix of contents on the bag. ChargePoint's process is geared at fixing one of the EV transition's most pressing problems: public charging stations that often don't work. She has a qualification from the Royal Horticultural Society. Sphagnum moss prefers growing in moist tundra-type areas, and most of what gets used for gardening in the US comes from peat bogs in northern Canada. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, without any added cost to you. Compost is chock-full of beneficial microbes and nutrients and is commonly referred to as black gold. Made from the breakdown of yard and kitchen waste, compost is rich in microorganisms that are beneficial for the soil. 'Ancient peat bogs are marvellous carbon sinks, capturing and absorbing climate-damaging carbon and acting as unique habitats for many rare and endangered plants and animals,' says gardening expert Ruth Hayes. BOJ to Build Case for Big Move in 2h of 2024, BE Says Though peat moss is a renewable resource, it can take hundreds to thousands of years to form the peat. Further confusion arises with the difference between compost, soil improvers and mulches, so basically, composts are for growing while soil improvers and mulches boost and protect your soil,' says Ruth Hayes. These woody ingredients naturally help with water retention and keep the soil acidic for those plants that cant get enough of a high acid levelwhich is often a key draw toward peat moss. Peat moss is grown in marshy bogs and wetlands in the northern hemisphere, covering two percent of the land on earth. Peat bogs, where this moss is located, are part of Nature's water purifiers. You might kill the weed like any other mulch but you will have to face other problems. One thing that is for sure, though, is that local groups resent and resist further mining of peatlands. It will give them the best drainage and moisture retention. Here are the most important benefits of peat moss: Peat moss is a highly absorbent material. Its the go-to solution for many garden enthusiasts looking to improve soil texture and boost water retention and drainage. Though some agencies are considering it as a Slow-renewable fuel.
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