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Peat moss is a type of sphagnum moss that shape in smashed orbit . It contains a lot of urine , do it a respectable soil amendment and mulch . It can also amend the drainage and aeration of heavy soils as well as retain wet in sandlike soil .
Because of these motif , nurseryman often use it to better their land quality . And if you ’re like most gardeners , you credibly think of it as an essential ingredient in your horticulture toolkit . But you may not know that there are many environmental reasons to discontinue using it in your garden . Despite many of its great welfare , it is not a sustainable horticultural product .
Keep reading to get a line more about peat moss , the top reasons why you should stop using it , and discover some of its beneficial option that will help your garden boom !
First, What Is Peat?
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Peat is an organic material that work in wetland in the northerly hemisphere . It is made of plant issue , such as leaves and etymon , that have decompose over time . Peat is often used as a fuel or for horticultural purposes .
It forms in waterlogged areas with small to no oxygen . This environment inhibits the chemical decomposition reaction of plant matter , which accumulates and compresses over clock time . It can be as deep as 40 feet , and you may find it in bogs and fens .
People have been utilizing peat as fuel for centuries . We sunburn it to produce high temperature or electricity and use it in horticulture as a soil amendment or potting medium .
Why You Should Stop Using It
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At this point , you make out what peat moss is and what are the benefits of using it . However , you may not know that it is not a sustainable horticultural product . Here ’s why you should stop using peat moss in your garden :
It Is Not Replenished
Unlike other constitutional textile , peat moss is not replenished once it ’s been glean . It form very easy , about a mm per yr , meaning it takes century to be formed .
There is very piddling peat moss useable , and as demand for this horticultural product increase , the supply decreases . At some point , there will be no more peat moss to reap , which can have devastating consequences for the environment .
It means that every clip someone apply peat moss in their garden , they ’re fundamentally removing a non - renewable resourcefulness from the surroundings .
It Is Harmful to the Environment
Peat moss is typically harvested from barbarian peat bogs . This process is not sustainable because it damage the delicate ecosystems that have taken centuries to develop . Because of that , peat bogs are some of the most threatened home ground in the world .
When peat moss is collected , it destroy the home ground and releases glasshouse gases into the atmosphere . Peat bogs store great amount of C , and when they ’re damaged , that carbon is released into the atm , contributing toclimate variety .
It Is Unnecessary
There are many sustainable and environmentally friendlyalternativesto peat moss that work just as well , if not better . They are not only renewable resources , but they also cater nutrients for plants and improve drainage and aeration in the soil .
Alternatives To Peat Moss
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Coconut coir
Coconut coiris a by - product of the coconut industry and is an excellent alternative to peat moss . It is lightweight , absorbent , and has good drainage properties . It also breaks down slowly , improving the social system of your grime over time .
Wood chips
woodwind instrument chip make another great alternative to peat moss . They are absorbent and have good drainage holding . They help to improve the structure of your grease and are a renewable imagination , making them more sustainable than peat moss .
Green manure
gullible manure make an fantabulous substitute for peat moss . It is ample in nutrients and improves the social system of your soil . you could grow your own in the build of clover or buckwheat or buy it from any gardening center .
Pine needles
Pine needles are an splendid pick , specially if you live in an area with many pine Tree . They are robust in nutrients and enhance the construction of your soil .
Say Goodbye To Peat Moss
It ’s important to consider the environmental shock of peat harvesting . Peat bogs are fragile ecosystems that we must maintain . There are a lot of sustainable and environmentally friendly choice to peat moss available on the marketplace . That ’s why it ’s definitelyworth it to make the switching !
