Peat Moss, Using peat moss in lawn and gardens

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Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association

Peat Moss - What is it? Where does it come from? What benefits does it provide to our lawns and gardens?

The following information is provided by the Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association. You can read more about Peat Moss at their web site and find more tips and information on the proper use and benefits of using peat moss.

Excerpts from their site are found below.

What is it? Where does it come from?
Harvesting and restoration of peat bogs.
Why is peat moss so important & what does it do for your soil?
Using Peat moss in your flower and vegetable gardens.

Visit the Web Site - Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association

Peat Moss - What is it? Where does it come from?

There are 270 million acres of natural peatlands like this in Canada.

Canadian sphagnum peat moss (CSPM) is partially decomposed sphagnum moss. It’s large cell structure enables it to absorb air and water like a sponge. Although peat moss does not contain nutrients, it adsorbs nutrients added to or present in the soil releasing them over time as the plants require. This saves valuable nutrients which are otherwise lost through leaching.

Where does it come from?

Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss is derived from the slow decomposition of sphagnum moss which accumulates in Canada’s bogs (or peatlands).
Canada has more than 25% of the world’s approximately one billion acres of peatland.

How is it harvested?

Harvesters clear bogs of vegetation and then dig shallow ditches to lower the water table so that the peat will dry and that the equipment necessary to harvest the peat can operate on the field.
Once a bog is ditched, harvesting begins. Harrows loosen the top peat moss which then dries in the sun for two to three hours before being vacuumed into large harvesters.
It is transported from the field to the plant where it is screened, graded and baled for storage or shipment.

Canadian Peat Harvesting and the Environment

There are more than 270,000,000 acres, 25% of the world's supply, of which our industry harvests on less than 40,000 acres, or one acre in 6,000.

Peat is renewable and in terms of its accumulation, peat in Canada is growing more than 70 times as fast as it is being harvested. [According to an issue paper entitled "Canadian Peat Harvesting and the Environment," published by the North American Wetlands Conservation Council (Canada)]

As well, we know that under the right circumstances, sphagnum moss will re-establish itself on a harvested bog. Soon thereafter, from this collection of mosses, peat will accumulate, re-establishing a layer of peat that will continue to grow.

Because a single bog can be harvested for between 15 and 50 years before they are left for restoration, harvesting has been completed on less than 3,000 acres. There are good examples of harvested bogs in Canada where more than one foot of sphagnum moss has re-grown, unaided, during the 10 to 15 years since harvesting has ceased. These bogs look like and provide the functions of virgin bogs.

Even though Canada does not have peat supply concerns, the industry is looking for ways to accelerate peat bog regeneration. Until recently, peat bogs have been left to regenerate, a process that can take up to 20 years. New research in ways to restore bogs quickly, indicates that time can be shortened to five to eight years.

The research projects, in which the industry has invested $1 million, include transplanting live sphagnum plants, seeding spores of sphagnum taken from live plants, and covering the harvested bog with the top spit from a living bog. This research is complete now and the results are excellent. From the techniques developed through the research, the research team, in cooperation with our Association, has produced a restoration instruction manual entitled Peatland Restoration Guide.

It will take hundreds of years to replace all the peat that was removed, but even while it's growing what we will have is a peatland that resumes the most important functions of a bog:

filtering water,

acting as a water collection basin,

accumulating carbon, and

providing habitat for flora and fauna.

The one function we cannot replace is a virgin bog that stores geo-paleantological history. For that reason, it is important to identify bogs for conservation in all areas of Canada.

Peatlands will regenerate themselves and it is the policy of the Canadian peat industry, and supported by government, to ensure peat is a sustainable resource. The Canadian peat producers have adopted a strict Preservation and Reclamation Policy that calls for, among other things:

identifying bogs for preservation through environmental assessment;

using careful harvesting techniques so that restoration can be readily achieved;

leaving at least three feet of peat at the bottom of the bog; and

returning of harvested bogs to functioning wetlands.

There should be no concern with continuing to use peat moss as the base of growing media in North America. The resource is huge, the amount of extraction small by comparison and the industry and government are committed to sustainable development.

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The CSPMA Preservation and Reclamation Policy

The Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association and its members have adopted a Preservation and Reclamation Policy that sets out the procedures for opening a bog, harvesting a bog and closing a bog. Highlights of that policy are:

BEFORE HARVESTING

Reduce impact on environment
Record flora, fauna
Cooperate with environmental groups
Choose bogs for reserves

DURING HARVESTING

Minimize acreage
Leave buffer zone
Leave layer of peat moss
Design drainage so water can be restored

AFTER HARVESTING

Primary goal: Restore bogs to wetlands
Secondary goal: Reclaim bogs for beneficial crops

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Why is Peat Moss so Important?

Canadian sphagnum peat moss is a natural, organic soil conditioner that regulates moisture and air around plant roots for ideal growing conditions. It will help to:

Save water.
Peat retains up to 20 times its weight in moisture, and releases water slowly as plants need it.

Aerate heavy, clay soil.
Peat moss allows for proper root growth by loosening and aerating soils.

Bind sandy soil.
By adding body to sandy soil, Canadian peat helps it retain moisture and nutrients.

Reduce leaching.
Peat moss reduces leaching of nutrients in or added to the soil, releasing them over time. This will save on fertilizer.

Protect soil.
Peat moss protects soil from hardening and adds organic material.

Make better compost.
Peat moss speeds the composting process, reduces odours and controls air and water in the compost pile.

Peat moss decomposes slowly over several years compared to compost which typically decomposes within one year. It has a reliable pH (3.4 to 4.8); is environmentally friendly and free of insects, weeds, seeds, salts and chemicals, and represents good value (bale compression means you get approximately two bales in one!). It's the ideal growing medium for your gardening needs.

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Vegetable and Flower Gardening

Every gardener dreams of a garden bursting with succulent vegetables and glowing with color spring through fall. To cut down on the tending, watering and feeding necessary to make that dream a reality, "garden from the ground up" and properly prepare the soil.

Healthy soil with plenty of organic matter promotes healthy plant growth. One of the best sources of organic matter is Canadian sphagnum peat moss. Canadian sphagnum peat moss is a natural, organic soil conditioner. It’s unique cell structure helps regulate moisture and air around plant roots, creating ideal growing conditions.

Peat moss:

Aerates plant roots by loosening heavy clay soil and adds body to sandy soil.
Saves water by absorbing and holding moisture.
Reduces leaching or runoff of nutrients present in or added to the soil, releasing them over time.

Your checklist for creating new garden beds

After outlining the area for the new garden bed with string or a garden hose:

Cut away the sod, saving it for lawn patches or the compost bin.
Dig or rototill two inches of peat moss into the top six or eight inches of soil.
Consider adding complementary organic matter, such as compost, for nutrients.
Add bedding plants or seeds.
Water lightly over a one to two week period.

Amending existing beds

Unless you are planting a large area, hand dig peat moss into existing flower or vegetable beds. Be careful not to disturb plant roots. Dig one-inch of peat moss into the top six inches of soil to condition the area for existing plants or new transplants.

These articles have been provided by the Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association

Please visit their site for more information on the use of Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss.