Exploring Peat Moss Alternatives in the Garden
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Would appreciate some factual data / sourcing for your claims against the Peat process. Thank you...
Like everyone else on this thread, I am trying to eliminate peat from my gardening practices because of its environmental impact. I'm also finding coconut coir to be the preferred alternative according to a lot of experts. While one of the contributors to this thread has mentioned unethical production practices in poor countries, I also want to underscore the author's point about the "long boat ride" coir has to make to be usable to us in the north. I live in Nova Scotia, about 2 hours away from the nearest peat producer. The nearest coconut tree is thousands of kilometres to the south, and its coir is only going to reach me by that "long boat ride" that is doubtless using fossil fuels to propel the boat. I will use distant coir rather than local peat in the interests of phasing out peat use globally, but I do hope for an alternative to coir that doesn't put us in the fire as we step out of the frying pan.
Hi, I have always used peat as a way to acidify soil and condition soil. I use it around my blueberry bushes and rose bushes. Can you suggest a natural alternative? I never liked hauling those big bales of peat anyhow. So if there is a good alternative that conditions the soil and makes it more acidic, please advise.
We fertilize with Holly-tone, which is an organic fertilizer made specifically for acid-loving plants such as rhodies, azaleas, and blueberries. We mulch the bushes with sawdust which is also acidic but you can use shredded oak leaves or pine needles too. Be sure to test your soil to make sure you really need to lower the pH before you add any amendments such as sulfur or cottonseed meal.
I have never done this and it seems extreme, but you can also try watering with diluted vinegar - 2 Tablespoons per gallon of water. Here in the Northeast we struggle to raise the pH rather than lower it.
Thank you for informing readers that sphagnum peat should be avoided for gardening/potting purposes. I am an environmental educator at Volo Bog State Natural Area in Illinois, and I give tours of our fascinating bog. Many people are surprised at how destructive peat mining is.
This is a good article, but you need to do more research on the coconut husk processing. Coconut husk by nature is very tough and does not break down into a usable product without heavy chemical treatment. These chemicals are then dumped into the nearest rivers and streams poisoning the water supply. So, OK, you saved the world's peat bogs, but now the disadvantaged peoples who make the coir, and their environment are compromised. All this so we can have a nice garden. Think about it.
You touched on the topic of the many other ways to improve our soil which also provides a good growing medium for seed starting. It may take a bit of planning and more work on our part, but the results will be amazing in our gardens. The use of mulching, composting, cover crops, vermicomposting, (any or all) are environmentally better. Know that eventually your soil, no matter the type, will be a very wonderful growing environment. We turned our red clay brick like soil into a deep layer of dark, healthy earth that will grow anything we need. And the very compost we make, with a bit of fine grit, will start any seedling we want. Hard work? Yes and no. It just depends on the size of your garden!
Since these products are made in 3rd world countries, I’m sure there are unethical coir producers out there. That is why as consumers we need to do our own research. There are different ways of processing the fiber and some do use harmful chemicals but for agricultural purposes you should look for a company that does not use saltwater, chemicals, or steam to prepare the fibers.
I've never been able to find Vermiculite, Coconut Coir, or Perlite.
& no I don't shop online
Your local garden center should be able to order these items for you.
I watched a documentary about how detrimental using Peat Moss Bogs is to the environment; because the Peat Moss takes so long to form; I am happy to read: Ireland has decided to ban the harvesting of peat and other UK countries are planning to follow suit. I hope so; esp. since Coconut Coir is available.