Let me introduce you to Peat

Peat Moss (Sphagnum Moss) is a popular soil amendment. It comes dry in a bag and once exposed to water, grows much bigger. Peat moss is a living material that has died and decomposed in a peat bog. It died and decomposed due to lack of air in the bog.

Benefits:

Lightweight and airy texture.

Perfect if you’re looking to reduce the density of your soil. Soil looseness eliminates compacted soil. Light, airy, loose soil allows for plants to spread their delicate, thin and compressed roots. Ah, Like kicking off your shoes and spreading your toes.

Peat works well for container gardens as it makes them less heavy for moving around or hanging them; especially after watering.. (other alternatives for hanging plants are sawdust, compost and composted food by-products).

Peat moss remains springy and absorbs water then slowly releases the water, thereby rehydrating the plant; a benefit to those of us who live in warm dry places or who are on the go and cannot focus on daily watering.

Peat Moss is excellent seed starter material and as slow-release, will not drown your seed, allowing seedlings to spread their roots.

Peat moss is safe. Many other types of soil amendments could contain harmful ingredients, i.e. chemicals as well as bacteria, bugs, or seeds from weeds.

Choose peat moss from companies dedicated to sustainable harvesting.

One pitfall is that peat moss makes soil more acidic which is great for blueberries and hydrangeas but not all plants, so check your plants needs before planting in soil with added peat moss.

If you feel your peat moss is too acidic for a certain plant then you can try to add lime to balance the pH.

Peat moss is good for small projects like seed starting. Unfortunately one should wear gloves when handling. This has been copied from the CDC prevention report: people who have contact with peat moss containing the fungus Sporothrix schenckii have the potential of contracting sporotrichosis. The fungal spores from the moss enter the blood stream through a cut or open would and infect the person.

And now you know Peat.

Happy Planting🌱