Benefits of Farming With Peat moss

Peat moss is partially decomposed sphagnum moss plants, which are harvested from peat bogs. While peat moss is brown, like soil, it has a different texture and weight: it’s light and spongy and crumbles into tiny splinters. It is difficult to wet, but once wet it retains water like a sponge, meaning it reduces drainage of water from soil.

Peat moss can be purchased on its own, but it is often added as an ingredient to potting soil to lighten the soil and allow it to hold moisture better. And it is often the main ingredient of soil-less potting mixes. Because the bogs where peat moss is harvested are ecologically fragile, there is now a movement to limit the use of peat moss in gardening

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:

Kekkilä Professional substrates are made of high-quality sphagnum peat that is harvested from our own bogs. This way we can make sure that the raw material we use qualifies with our stringent quality and environmental standards. It is important to us that we conduct our business in a respon-sible manner, and we are a member of EPAGMA and the Responsibly Produced Peat board.

Article contributed by Amiran Kenya