However, overuse of these slow-growing garden aids has brought in a dire need to find peat moss alternatives. Peat Moss. Thus, exploiting this valuable flora possesses a valid concern. Most of the time, however, peat is a unique material. This, combined with its absorbency, makes it ideal for starting seedlings and is why peat moss is an essential component in most seed starting mixes. Peat moss is a staple for any garden. "While oil, coal, and natural gas are exported around the world, few outside northern Europe are aware of this energy source. What is Peat Moss? Peat moss is dead fibrous material that forms when mosses and other living material decompose in peat bogs. Peat is the "forgotten fossil fuel. Peat moss is organic matter that contains decomposed plants--often sphagnum moss. Bogs are a ⦠Sure, peat moss is a thirsty medium, but once itâs completely dry, it takes A LOT of water to get it wet and hydrated again. In certain circumstances, peat can be an early stage in coal formation. For clay and heavy soils that get compact easily, it softens the soil structure and improves the drainage. Therefore, as a gardening staple with a salient nature, it is important for us to de-mystify it.. Scientists consider peat bogs to be as fragile and important as the rainforests. Many gardeners spread compost on a garden or bed along with the peat moss, then rake or till in both at the same time. If thatâs your goal, rely on compost or other amendments to do the job. The pH of peat moss is slightly acidic. Peat moss is partially decomposed sphagnum moss plants, which are harvested from peat bogs. Note also that peat moss doesnât provide any nutrients. Gardeners hail peat moss for its water retention capabilities, too. Sphagnum peat moss refers to the partially decomposed remains of sphagnum moss. 2 parts of soil per ⦠Peat moss has been used as a soil amendment for so long because it has a lot to offer. For sandy soil, peat moss helps retain moisture and nutrients for plant roots. Some of the worldâs oldest peat bogs have very dense, seemingly endless supplies of the decaying matter, though it is also available in smaller ⦠It is often applied with the ratio 2:1. The peat moss will acidify the soil, meaning some lime will be needed in many cases. The difference between peat moss and the compost gardeners make in their backyard is that peat moss is composed mostly of moss , and the decomposition happens without the presence of air, slowing the ⦠Peat forms in bogs. A brown deposit resembling soil, formed by the partial decomposition of vegetable matter in the wet acidic conditions of bogs and fens, and often cut out and dried for use as fuel and in gardening. Adding peat moss to the existing topsoil in a growing area will amend the soil and make it a higher quality soil. Sphagnum moss grows most commonly in bogs, which are essentially deep, wet marshes.The moss grows on top of the bog, and peat is produced underneath. Acid loving ⦠In the gardening terms, peat moss ⦠What Not to Use as a Substitute. Peat moss is acidic, so adding peat moss will help to increase the acidic level of topsoil. Peat moss is also a sterile planting medium, which means that it does not contain harmful pathogens or weed seeds. Sphagnum is a genus of approximately 380 accepted species of mosses, commonly known as "peat moss" though they are different as peat moss has a more acidic pH level.Accumulations of Sphagnum can store water, since both living and dead plants can hold large quantities of water inside their cells; plants may hold 16 to 26 times ⦠In the gardening sphere, peat moss is identified as a common medium for planting seedlings.People with sound know-how of gardening have probably heard of it at multiple instances. 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