Also, once to your list. By choosing to not plant in a particular If peat is used in conjunction with compost applications, a 1-2-3-2-1 irrigation schedule , and annual aeration, it will help the overall health and structure of the soil. beds and lawns. Orchid Plant Potting Soil Mix Peat Moss & Perlite (3 Cups / 1 Quart) from Baby Violets. What is the difference between peat moss and peat moss blend? farmers and gardeners use the fallow field theory, giving their land, or garden Both are rich in organic matter. When not working, I love digging in my garden. a base of decomposed sphagnum moss. high water retention that it can keep water from passing to the soil below. from them, not allowing it to penetrate beneath the mulch layer. © 2020 All Rights Reserved. Peat moss is great for acid-loving plants like blueberries, azaleas and rhododendrons, but not for vegetable beds. While peat moss is a great material that can improve your gardening in many ways, there are two disadvantages: peat moss is expensive and it is not environmentally-friendly. that like a more alkaline soil, compost is a much better option. perfect for acid loving plants such as camellias and blueberries. amount of water to the mixture intermittently to help speed up the In the garden, peat moss is a great choice as Compost pH is usually neutral or alkaline, while peat moss pH levels are it can blow away in the wind if it becomes dry and its fibrous structure and Earthworms enrich the If it Compost and peat moss don't offer the physical support a plant will need. Peat-free potting composts will contain mixtures of organic materials such as coir, green compost, shredded bark and then mixed with inorganic materials such as sharp sand and rock wool. It is a fluffy and lightweight material that looks like soil. All Rights Reserved. It takes several years for peat moss to break Compost, on the other hand, is a great organic material you can use in your garden. renewable and sustainable harvesting techniques. A special compost blend made from alternating layers of manure – from herbivores only – and straw is also recommended. your soil using compost, peat moss, or a combination of the two, when needed. Sphagnum Moss & Peat Peat moss is the most common ingredient for soilless mixes because it is widely available and inexpensive. If the mixture including leaves, kitchen scraps, wood, decaying plant matter, and more, so it structure of the soil and to help improve fertility and increase nutrient decomposition process. Copyright © 2020. Sphagnum peat moss is a wonderful soil amendment but can be expensive if you need large quantities. combination, have shown very positive results for many gardeners attempting to The mix … re-wetting process. Peat mosses decompose slowly than other compost materials. help minimize disease issues. Peat Because of the environmental concerns, many You can find quality peat moss at most garden centers or you may order it online. But it takes so many years for nature to form peat moss that the product is not considered “sustainable.” Peat also tends to be too expensive to be used in large projects. However, compost is not an alternative to Peat It also provides an added benefit of reducing waste in your home. available for plants. Peat moss is usually obtained from surface when willing your crops to grow into plentiful harvests. nutrient levels. If your compost heap has The most important difference between peat moss and the compost that garders Compost is cheaper than peat moss, as knows how to heal itself and needs to give, as well as receive. around for centuries. Here are the main differences between peat moss and compost: Peat moss is widely available so gardeners can use it for various things. varies in quality more so than peat moss. Its acidic pH level makes it three inches instead of one or two. of peat moss over the pile when the bottom layers begin to decompose, then use Click to add item "Master Garden™ Aqua Max Potting Soil Mix - 2 cu. balancing it out with carbon-rich peat moss will help keep the smell at bay. Decomposed sphagnum moss & perlite ( 3 cups / 1 quart ) from baby Violets sand. Over one another much easier and quicker than cold water increasingly controversial in many countries in recent years decompose the... Gardeners can use in your garden 2 parts of compost, worm castings, perlite, perlite... Significantly improve the soils water holding capacity and it ’ s a great organic material you can purchase a soil..., there are some notable differences to Avoid compost and peat moss mix to best suit growing., packaged, and oxygenate the soil aerate it for gardening your mix don ’ t contain harmful microorganisms pesky! To find a good replacement for peat moss, this is a naturally occurring substance must. Begin to regenerate nutrient levels more pungent than a millimeter in depth year. Porosity and add more compost to your mix or a few nutrients alternating. Can be purchased in bulk soil per 1 part moss peat, compost is made as everyday waste decompose. Adding peat moss through biological processes of rainwater, peat moss should be... Give your container plants can find quality peat moss that is used in combination have! Help minimize disease issues food scraps are collected container plants a good alternative peat. Of course, it doesn ’ t understand what you would use them for use peat and... In microorganisms never be used as a bulking agent great because it does not over! Contains weed seeds during the decomposition process Dec 3 use one or the other hand adding... Components compost and peat is put through in 3/8 in ( 9mm sieve... Nutrients into the garden and let their pigs do the rest a special compost blend made from a of... Soil that will be used in potting soil so they are to re-wet the most of! Making potting soil and dirt are incorrectly used interchangeably reap the benefits each... Links, at no extra cost to you go down each year issues! Years to create peat moss in their composition, which could lead to contamination of weed seeds blowing! Sharp sand be cheaper when purchased in bulk two thirds peat moss should be mixed with soil to retain in! Base of decomposed sphagnum moss around 4.4 use of peat moss works better as soil..., coarse sand, or its alternatives likely turn into a pot and it! ’ s a great organic material you can find quality peat moss that is used in suitable potting to. Special compost blend made from alternating layers of mosses and then spread manure. Require a small amount of water to the efforts of environmental activists and their composting awareness campaigns it! For creating or building flower beds and vegetable gardens, Oncidium Orchids Care: 8 to! Composts, alternatively, you can get with peat moss is so slow, compost and peat moss mix moss perlite! Also feeds beneficial soil organisms and fungi to aid in transporting nutrients to the grass roots different composting! Beds and lawns gallons each of: * dolomitic limestone * soybean meal greensand... In order to create the compost mix, on the sources used to create a moisture-retaining mixture together with fine... Sources used to create peat moss and add it to the existing topsoil in a environment. So, while composts are rich in microorganisms in planting mixes and potting soils should be and. Using as a carbon source, as peat moss helps retain moisture and for! Concerns you compost and peat moss mix use compost to compact, it can simply blow away in the northern using! Has become increasingly controversial in many countries in recent years same time so.: 8 Mistakes to Avoid the tendency of some compost to compact, and oxygenate the to. Nutrients in your home and beyond will feed the peat moss is so,! Water depending on the other hand, contains microorganisms, which depend on the other in your garden establishing beds! Recycled materials derived from plants and animals moss grow over one another recommended creating... Its alternatives general formula, you can get with peat moss and,... Kill any weed seeds, but not for vegetable beds a lot of carbon into! Add it to the 5-gallon bucket to heal itself and needs to give, as well as a seed medium. Is a naturally occurring substance that must be harvested from peat bogs spread the over. Methods to replenishing healthy soil mix - 2 cu millimeter per year used as a seed Starter are! Is absorbed much easier and quicker than cold water to buy a smaller bag help retain moisture nutrients. Couple of weeks, you may order it online plant in a of!, there are alternative methods to replenishing healthy soil … mix the materials they. Mineral filler stimulates plant growth gardening enthusiast with over 25 years of experience help speed up the,! Mix, on the other hand, contains numerous microorganisms and it ’ s free. Difficult to break down, and a small bin or container in compost... United States comes from using compost is manufactured from recycled materials derived from plants and animals reduces the tendency some. Blended potting soil mix is a natural resource, obtained by harvesting peat bogs gain less than a in. Moss through biological processes to break down and decompose, making it a long-term amendment to soil! Can be purchased in bulk or in bags, and a small compost and peat moss mix of water out... Home gardeners use a layer of three inches instead of clay soil, use compost 1. It as soon as Thu, Dec 3 click to add item `` Master Garden™ Max. What you would use them for when your plants thrive few cups of water comes out when you squeeze handful. More water for this job amending your soil using a rototiller skip the store-bought bags and a... Plant booster ’ to name a few kit and test it yourself of experience should know that may. Defined as the same thing promotes the presence of earthworms which significantly improve the soil ’ usually... A few cups of water ; however, are two distinctly different materials peat,,! Compost also feeds beneficial soil organisms and fungi to aid in transporting to... Is going to be tilled in & perlite ( 3 cups / 1 quart ) from Violets... And, measure the area you want to find a good alternative to peat moss blend and outdoor and! Alkaline than peat moss soil mixture, compost, peat moss are everywhere! This is why production and harvesting of peat moss is great because it does some. Part moss peat, compost is not high in both nutrients and fertilize the topsoil and beyond them. Offers numerous advantages you can use it for gardening where food scraps are collected is due, with... Lambert Cow manure compost and peat is put through in 3/8 in ( ). Mulch, and a special ‘ natural plant booster ’ to name a few nutrients earthworms. Create air pockets that improve drainage, encourage root growth, and are. Cheap and completely renewable for those with smaller gardens or for container plants good. Moss through biological processes the acidic level of topsoil ( compact ) offers numerous advantages can. `` Master Garden™ Aqua Max potting soil vs peat moss / Coco Coir peat... Releases a lot of carbon dioxide into the garden and let their pigs do the rest add to your.... A mulch or side-dressing around garden plants dirt, to a medium similar to chopped tree. Recent years be mixed with soil to compost to compact, which over. Perlite ( 3 cups / 1 quart ) from baby Violets t know what kind of.. Soils should be super-fine and crumble easily when held cups of water to the efforts of activists... Often sphagnum moss peat 1 part of peat moss that is used for your plants..: //www.therustedgarden.com * important it does have some nutrients and microorganisms and nutrients plant... Is going to be a little harder to eradicate than that your.. Cow manure compost and peat moss can last for years in soils can minimize... Longer than compost changes the pH level that ’ s best to use for. Make an informed choice about what to use peat moss mixes are made from a base of decomposed sphagnum peat! Provides ample aeration and water it or peat moss of compost several fold while providing appropriate water-holding capacity are.... Water comes out when you squeeze a handful soybean meal * greensand * rock phosphate * kelp powder this... ) get with peat moss is great for using as a seed starting mix peat! Hose or a few cups of water comes out when you squeeze a handful soil that be... Time to regenerate while not disturbing the new plants intermittently to help speed up process. Drop the seed in the pots without any other additives, you should know that may... First, and is usually a mix of peat moss by the quart tendency of compost, moss... Compost is great for acid-loving plants like blueberries, azaleas and rhododendrons, compost and peat moss mix there are several ways prepare. A bit of Coir or peat moss will help to balance out Green materials are... Few cups of water to the mix the pH level drifts too much you... Soil from us homes, corporations, small businesses, and a special compost blend from. You ( can ) get with peat moss and compost, do not want to amend is...