The most basic DIY potting soil recipe that works for every plant is–One part peat, one part perlite, and one part compost. The Effects of Fresh Cow Manure on Soil Properties, Fine Gardening Magazine: Choosing the Right Soilless Mix, Fine Gardening Magazine: Soil in Containers Should Be a Good Mix. You can also buy it on its own to mix into your own potting soil blend.. It’s especially useful for growing flowers and food in containers because it helps these thirsty plants get the moisture they need. You will apply it differently depending on how you plan to use it, but for all applications it is important to wet the peat moss before adding it into the soil.​, You can apply peat moss in a 2:1 ratio as a soil amendment, with two parts soil to one part peat moss. Peat moss is an all natural and organic product that makes a great soil amendment or can be used for creating your It does contain some beneficial microorganisms naturally, and more can be introduced. Gardeners use peat moss to increase soil moisture retention, aerate the soil, retain nutrients, and prevent soil compaction. Thanks!---Hank in Wilmington, Delaware Answer. General Potting Soil Recipe. Using peat moss to improve soil conditions has the advantage that it lasts long (a decade, depending on how much you add, the quality, the soil, crop etc.) How To Create Perfect Potting Soil You can create this potting soil mix in any quantity. A good university test will tell you exactly how much soil sulfur to add. Premier Pro Moss Horticultural Peat Moss – 2.5 cu. Peat moss retains water much better than average soils, which increases the absorbency of any potting mixes and garden soils that use peat moss.​, Not only is peat moss absorbent, it also does not compact, unlike other organic materials. Coir mixed with shredded pine bark is a good substitute, and researchers are trying several other materials in hopes of finding more options. I also wouldn’t recommend peat moss as a mulch on top of the soil to Dry, sandy soils benefit from adding peat moss to retain moisture, and peat moss improves drainage and prevents compaction in dry and wet soils alike.​, These qualities make peat moss particularly useful in vegetable gardens, where extremes of dry and wet can negatively impact the growth and production of vegetables. The decision to use peat moss is up to you. Both the moisture and the nutrients in the peat moss are readily available to the plants' roots. Gardeners use peat moss to increase soil moisture retention, aerate the soil, retain nutrients, and prevent soil compaction. Part of that process is understanding the various soil amendments and planting mediums available, which means that you need to be aware of the benefits, downsides, and practical uses of sphagnum peat moss.​, Listen to this post on the Epic Gardening Podcast, Subscribe to the Epic Gardening Podcast on iTunes, So what is peat moss, anyway? You can also buy bulk peat moss for large applications, which could give you a discount.​, Prices for peat moss vary depending on the manufacturer and the size of the bag. Check out the recipe below and change it to your plants' preferences. Some plants are very heavy feeders, they will need extra nutrients after a few weeks. It is sterile, absorbent, and the homogeneous material is easy to work with. Potting Mix with Compost Soil Recipe. If you’re anything like me, you are willing to put in the time and effort to make your gardens as productive and healthy as possible. Peat moss is a valuable addition to potting soil because it can absorb and hold as much as 20 times its weight in water. Use peat moss as ⅓ – ⅔ of your total potting soil mix. Mix the peat moss into the top 12 inches of the soil along with any other amendments until the mixture is evenly distributed and plant into the freshly prepared ground. The following is a basic recipe for soil-based potting media. There is good evidence that there are both microorganisms in peat moss, as well as some level of nutrition, depending on the geographical origin and depth the peat moss was harvested from. You just need to rinse and strain it and it will work perfectly again. Don’t be afraid to play around with the ratio as well as the components that you can add into the mix until you 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.​, The pH of peat moss is slightly acidic. 1 part compost 1 part sphagnum peat or coir 1 part peat … Limestone (1/4 cup and only when peat moss is included) Compost (6 gallons) Perlite (4.5 gallons) Coir fiber or peat moss (6 gallons) How Much Homemade Potting Soil Does Your Houseplant Need? The "moss" in "peat moss" refers specifically to sphagnum moss (for example, Sphagnum cymbifolium). Calculate peat moss to square feet to determine how much peat moss to need to add to your growing area. The only downsides of using peat moss in compost are the expense and the environmental concerns associated with sphagnum peat moss.​, Properly applying peat moss to soil mixes and as an amendment is important for the success of your garden. Peat moss has several practical uses in the garden, from starting seeds to improving your soil, and is a useful amendment for both flower and vegetable gardeners.​. The moisture retaining quality of peat moss also reduces the need for frequent watering, which makes it doubly valuable. Start with the basic recipe below and then add soil sulfur to lower the pH or lime to raise the pH, according to the needs of your plants. Adding peat moss to the existing topsoil in a growing area will amend the soil and make it a higher quality soil. Step 3 Dig the holes required for your flowers or vegetables and begin planting, making sure to saturate the container or garden area thoroughly to help the plants take to their new peat moss and topsoil mix. Quality potting soil is incredibly important for your container plants. This slows the decomposition process and creates a homogeneous material that is highly absorbent, which makes it very useful in the garden as a soil builder and a seed starter.​, Peat moss is a unique organic material that provides gardeners with several benefits, including absorbency, compaction prevention, a sterile planting medium, and its acidic ph.​, The most important benefit of peat moss is the material’s absorbency. The topsoil and peat moss mix should make up the top 6 to 12 inches of your soil. One-part peat moss and one-part potting soil is a pretty good ratio. Giving your houseplant the wrong type of potting soil can indeed be detrimental, especially if the soil is more acidic thanks to peat moss but your plant needs alkaline conditions. Dear Mike: How do you feel about using peat moss as a mulch? How to use peat moss in your garden depends on what you plan to use it for. To use for starting seeds, you can mix it 50/50 with perlite, or 1/3 each of peat moss, perlite and a soilless mix such as Quickroot. Peat moss is a valuable addition to potting soil because it can absorb and hold as much as 20 times its weight in water. For containers, make sure you mix peat moss with adequate amounts of soil, compost, and fertilizers to keep your container gardens happy.​, There are organic peat moss products on the market if you garden organically, so check the label prior to purchasing. Soil compaction is damaging to gardens and reduces water absorption and plant growth. Speaking of peat moss, remember that peat moss can die after a year or two, so if it’s in your homemade potting soil, you don’t want to hold onto it longer than that. There are many different pre-mixed options available, but you can often get the best mix by customizing your potting soil with perlite. We recommend that you do a pH test of your soil before and after, to Just remember that too much peat moss can change the PH of the soil, so garden accordingly.​, Peat moss is a carbon rich material, which makes it a good source of carbon in compost piles. 2 parts compost 2 parts peat moss or coir 1 part perlite. Peat bogs cover only three percent of the earth's land and freshwater surface, but they absorb and store more carbon from the atmosphere than all of the trees on the planet combined. Please Visit The Rusted Garden Seed & Garden Shop: https://www.therustedgarden.com*IMPORTANT. Peat moss is organic matter that contains decomposed plants--often sphagnum moss. One popular alternative to peat moss is coir, a fibrous by-product of the coconut. Some gardeners have environmental concerns about peat moss that make it a poor choice for their gardens and is certainly an important factor to consider.​, So how, exactly, should you use peat moss, now that you know about the benefits and downsides of sphagnum peat moss? *If you can’t find pH-balanced peat moss, substitute the peat moss and the perlite in the mix above with plain Pro-Mix HP. Peat moss is a useful garden soil amendment or ingredient in potting soil. Adding peat moss … It has to fulfill the requirements of the vegetables that you’re going to grow. One, for foliage plants, calls for a half bushel (4.5 gallons) of peat moss, a quarter bushel of vermiculite, a quarter bushel of perlite, 8 tablespoons of ground dolomite lime, 2 tablespoons of superphosphate, 3 tablespoons of 10-10-10 fertilizer, 1 tablespoon of iron sulfate and 1 tablespoon of potassium nitrate. Peat moss is commonly sold in bales (covered in plastic) at home improvement centers. What Are the Benefits of Coconut Coir in the Garden? How to Use Peat Moss in the Garden Apply peat moss in a 2–3 inch layer in your garden, and incorporate it into the top 12” of soil. Peat moss spreaders are also useful for lawn applications, and can be rented from home and garden centers.​, Luckily for gardeners, peat moss is one of the most widely available garden supplies around. Do I have easy access to peat moss alternatives like compost? While it is important to consider the environmental concerns and price of peat moss before investing, the benefits of peat moss and the value it can add to your soil means that the decision to use peat moss is entirely personal.​, To determine if peat moss is right for you, ask yourself the following questions:​. Although it contains few nutrients, it absorbs and holds the nutrients that are dissolved in the water. Peat moss is a nonrenewable resource. I created Epic Gardening to help teach 10,000,000 people how to grow anything, no matter where they live in the world. Harvested sphagnum moss is allowed to dry and decompose to form a peat moss product. Peat is a renewable resource, but a slowly renewable one -- it takes several hundred years for a peat bog to be restored, and in general, we don't let them get restored. These minerals are mined from natural deposits and are readily The experiment was started Sept 13, 2017. Dolomite lime has an alkaline reaction and is often used to raise the pH of soil or potting mixes. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask us questions in the comments section below. A little more about me. The perfect potting mix is made up of peat moss, vermiculite or perlite sand, and shredded bark or compost, and NO soil or garden dirt. Harvested from bogs in Canada and Michigan, peat moss has a remarkable ability to hold water and make it available to plants' roots. In a comparison of coco peat vs. soil, the peat retains much more water and releases it slowly to plant roots. You can also buy it on its own to mix into your own potting soil blend.. It’s especially useful for growing flowers and food in containers because it helps these thirsty plants get the moisture they need. The acidic pH of peat moss is beneficial to some plants but not beneficial to plants that prefer alkaline soils. The biggest is expense. For containers, you need a looser soil that can absorb more water. So, if you divide 875 by 90, you get 9.72, which means you need 10 bales of moss to cover this area. You can re-use potting soil in planters and grow bags, but you'll need to take a few steps to kill of pathogens and add nutrients back into the soil. Step 3 Double the number of large bales if you wish to lay down 2 inches of peat moss. Peat Moss . Customize your potting soil blend for the plants; add more perlite for succulents or use vermiculite to keep soil moist. Peat moss alone does not make a good potting medium. So add lime of soil sulfur according to the pH need of your plants. Not completely without thorns, Hank; but some rose varieties are said to have very few, including the legendary "Climbing Cecile Brunner", a light pink, repeat blooming old garden rose. When this valuable resource is mined, we not only lose the carbon storage capacity, but the process of mining releases part of the stored carbon into the atmosphere. If you do not know if your Manure is … Another drawback is that peat moss has a pH of between 4.0 and 4.5, which is unacceptable to most plants. Compost: (permeability, water retention, nutrients) Well-rotted compost is one of the best soil amendments you can add to your garden, and it’s impossible to use too much! Most potting mixes are a mixture of peat moss, composted organic material and either sand or vermiculite. The real key is to keep the portions the same as you Blending Your Own Seed Starting Mix Blend 1 part MG Sphagnum Peat Moss to 1 part MG Perlite. Jackie Carroll has been a freelance writer since 1995. Peat moss is fairly wimpy as a general soil additive, it should be noted. Compost offers similar benefits to peat moss in the garden and is a completely renewable resource. For plants that like a more alkaline soil , compost may be a better choice. In more compacted clay soils, you should also add Organic Soil Conditioner to the mix to improve aeration and drainage. It is usually packed dry, so you have to moisten it before making potting soil. It’s composed of peat moss, vermiculite, perlite, sand, and shredded bark or compost. If you need a growing medium for vegetable plants, it has to be able to support the plants by holding the roots firmly. Once peat moss dries out it is difficult to get it wet again. Peat moss is acidic, so adding peat moss will help to increase the acidic level of topsoil. The sphagnum moss grows into thick masses of bog that float on top of the water. The rest can be mainly compost or store-bought soil with perlite and some type of fertilizer added in. Start with one gallon of sterilized loam soil, commonly called garden soil and sold at garden centers, and pour it into a clean, empty bushel basket. This keeps the seed bed uniformly moist, aiding in germination. A basic mix contains one part peat moss, one part sand or vermiculite, and one part compost. On the other hand, mixing your own potting soil can be cheaper than buying pre-mixed potting soil in the long run.​. Most of the peat moss available in North America is mined in Canada, where only 0.02 percent of peat bogs are harvested and the industry is strictly regulated.​, Still, groups like the International Peatland Society point out that mining peat moss is a carbon intensive process, and removing peat releases large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and limits the ability of the peatland ecosystems to act as a carbon sink. Blending Your Own Seed Starting Mix Blend 1 part MG Sphagnum Peat Moss to 1 part MG Perlite. The reality about peat moss mining is that two thirds of peat moss that is mined today is mined not for horticultural uses, but is instead dried and burned as fuel for home and industrial heating. Almost any potted plant you can buy grows in a soil mix that contains peat moss, and most bagged potting soil does, too. The mix you use will vary, depending on your preferences. Several years ago to a 4 x 4 plot with a tested soil pH of 5.7 I added 3.8 cubic feet of peat moss, in preparation for planting blueberries, and the following year the soil pH in that plot was 7.2. Here are a few popular soil recipes: Seed Starter Soil Recipe. Increase the amount of peat moss for plants such as African violets that need constant moisture, and add more sand or perlite to the mix for plants such as cacti and succulents that need sharp drainage. Peat moss is useful as an additive in potting mixes, as a soil amendment, and in your vegetable garden.​, Peat moss is a great seed starting medium. If you need to amend the DIY potting mix, adjust the quantities, and add other ingredients. Worm casting treatments were combined with an organic peat-based potting mix1 in different percentages (0, 15 and 30% weight basis) to study the effects on basil plant growth and nutrient The total concentrations of carbon, nitrogen and sulphur in the worm casting were 13%, 1.05 % and 0.24% respectively on a dry weight basis. 7: Fertilizer. Follow these steps to incorporate peat moss into bare soil: Soak the moss in a large bin or tub of water for 24 hours. Here’s a handy guide to some of the most popular soil amendments to help you decide what’s right for your garden: Compost and manure mix. Improving Your Native Soil On the other hand, peat is mainly corrective and not regenerative. The Complete Houseplant Survival Manual; Barbara Pleasant, Landscaping with Container Plants; Jim Wilson. The dark brown, compact matter that we recognize as peat moss is a far cry from the organic material’s origins. As you know, peat moss changes the soil’s pH value. 5. For containers and raised beds, use between 1/3 and 2/3 peat moss mixed with potting soil or . ft. Am I using peat moss in a seed starting mix or in the soil? You need to add other materials like perlite or vermiculite while mixing peat moss with soil. Mix the ingredients and then work in 1/2 ounce of pelleted limestone and 1/4 ounce of super- or triple phosphate per gallon of mix. So, you may need to amend your potting soil with limestone to reduce soil acidity and balance pH levels. Smaller bags are sold by the quart and are perfect for mixing small amounts of potting soil or adding peat moss to containers.​, Peat moss is a nonrenewable resource. Commercial potting soil is made from a combination of peat moss, vermiculite, and Okay, so following the recipe quantities above, you made one or several of these different plant potting soils. By resisting compaction, it ventilates oxygen deep into the soil bed, this phenomenon is commonly referred to as Aeration. It absorbs and … When you break open a bag, the substance that you will find inside resembles a very dry, caked-up soil. You need to keep this thing in mind while using peat moss as a … If you are growing plants that need a neutral to alkaline pH, add in some lime to balance out the peat moss. Peat moss does make the soil very loose and airy – something Rhododendrons like, so maybe this extra aeration is the reason peat moss works. As far as nutrient value, peat moss isn’t high, but it isn’t absolutely zero like many people believe. Peat moss is fairly wimpy as a general soil additive, it should be noted. As a potting mix, you can combine equal parts of peat moss, soil and perlite or vermiculite. It just holds on to the nutrients already in the soil, so the water doesn’t flush them away. The basic recipe for making homemade potting soil is equal parts of peat moss and perlite. 6 gallons of sphagnum peat moss ; 6 gallons of sterilized soil; 4.5 gallons of perlite; 6 gallons of compost Peat moss does have special characteristics that make it a better choice when used in small amounts as part of seed starting mixtures. Compost is a viable alternative to peat moss for gardeners who want to add organic material to their gardens. Some of these may be affiliate links, meaning we earn a small commission if items are purchased. It also has the added benefit of reducing waste around your home and cutting down on the amount of material that goes into our landfills.​, There are some important distinctions between peat moss and compost:​. But if you use it alone on your lawn there’s a slight chance it increases the acidity of your soil. Another downside is fertility. Two, three years after adding it to soil, it's about gone. If you’re curious to see this magical and mysterious material in action, pick some up today at our garden center in Houston and try it out. To find out more. Using the same example -- 2,400 / 90 = 26.66 -- you will need approximately 27 large bales of peat moss. Potting mix is obtained by different types of mediums (generally not soil) such as compost, perlite, peat, fertilizer, etc (as explained in this article). If you are growing plants that need a neutral to alkaline pH, add in some Answering these questions will help you decide if peat moss is right for your gardening needs. This article contains incorrect information, This article is missing information that I need. It has an acid pH, so it’s ideal for acid loving plants , such as blueberries and camellias . For containers and raised beds, use between 1/3 and 2/3 peat moss mixed with potting soil or compost. Her home-and-garden and nature articles have appeared in "Birds & Blooms" and "Alamance Today." NEVER use potting soil or peat moss. ​Hoffman Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss – 10qt. In order to mix peat moss with soil, you can go for potting soil. Look for sphagnum peat moss for sale in your area and compare prices to get the best deal. Peat worked into the soil probably won’t offer too much protection from splashing, though it can certainly make the soil a bit more absorbant and springy. Most potting soil you buy in a garden center are comprised of three basic ingredients: peat moss, pine bark, and either perlite or vermiculite (to provide air space). Shop undefined 3-cu ft Organic Peat Moss Moisture Control in the Soil Amendments department at Lowe's.com. Apply peat moss in a 2–3 inch layer in your garden, and incorporate it into the top 12" of soil. For more info, click here. It contains little or no nitrogen, phosphorous or potassium, although it does contain trace amounts of a few micronutrients. Peat moss is the dried, partially decomposed remains of mosses that grew in very acid bogs and its pH ranges from 3.5 to 4.0, about as acid as orange juice or tomato juice. When this happens, try soaking the pot in a container of lukewarm water for about 30 minutes. Peat moss has a relatively low nutrient content profile. Many gardeners experiment with seed starting mixes to find the one that works best for them, so don’t be afraid to play around with your ratios and amendments to find the perfect mix.​, Peat moss is also useful for container gardening, as it preserves moisture and gives your containers a good organic material to grow in. The rest can be mainly compost or store-bought soil with perlite and some type of fertilizer added in. Hi, I'm Kevin. Gardeners use peat moss mainly as a soil amendment or ingredient in potting soil. Each large bale of peat moss contains 3.8 cubic feet of material, which is enough to cover 90sq’ at a 1” depth. Peat Moss is an acidic base ingredient that provides aeration and water retention. Peat moss can hold up to 20 times its dry weight in water. Peat moss is the decomposing remains of living sphagnum moss, and it is harvested at unsustainable rates from bogs in a manner than involves scraping off the top layer of the living moss to get to the saleable product below. Peat moss comes from the peat bogs of the northern United States and Canada; this is usually considered the higher quality type of peat moss. She holds a Bachelor of Science in medical technology from the University of North Carolina. Yes, it lightens the soil, and retains moisture, and is a good choice for mixing with black dirt and a little sharp sand if you are making your own potting soil. Potting with peat moss can drastically improve the health and quality of your soil, and as we all know, good soil leads to happier, well-fed plants. But realize that peat moss compacts very quickly. Epic Gardening occasionally links to goods or services offered by vendors to help you find the best products to care for plants. It takes about 3,000 years to restore a completely mined peat bog to its original condition. Compost. Potting Soil It is really beneficial to add compost to plants. Buying a good potting mix saves time, but you can save money and get more satisfaction from your thriving plants by making your own. We fill a one gallon pail for our “parts”, and then mix the ingredients in a wheelbarrow. We're always looking to improve our articles to help you become an even better gardener. If looking for Gardeners use peat moss mainly as a soil amendment or ingredient in potting soil. Peat moss as a soil amendment is known to improve the quality of the soil. Mix the peat moss into the top 12 inches of the soil along with any other amendments until the mixture is evenly distributed and plant into the freshly prepared ground.​, There are several ways to prepare a seed starting mix from peat moss. Sterilized loam soil is worth the cost to avoid disease, insect, and weed problems that may exist in unsterilized soil. Home » Peat Moss in the Garden – Sphagnum Peat Moss Uses, If you love gardening, chances are you come across references to peat moss on a fairly regular basis. Limestone is readily available and inexpensive. For these plants, compost is a better peat moss alternative, as it has a more neutral or even alkaline pH, depending on the compost composition.​, Having a green thumb does not always translate to using environmentally green methods. Since peat moss is widely available in gardening stores, you won’t have far to go to find it. If your garden soil is not acidic, add a bit of peat moss to make acid-loving plants thrive. If it does work it is not because the peat moss acidifies the soil. On the other hand, if the recipe is too gritty or sandy, mix a bit of peat moss or coir. You can apply peat moss in a 2:1 ratio as a soil amendment, with two parts soil to one part peat moss. Instead of purchasing an expensive potting soil, make your own version by mixing clean garden soil, sand and peat moss. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. For acid loving plants add equal parts Miracle-Gro® Sphagnum Peat Moss and pre-mixed potting mix. Peat moss remains springy when it is wet and rehydrates easily, plus one application of peat moss can last for years.​, Peat moss is also a sterile planting medium, which means that it does not contain harmful pathogens or weed seeds. Acidic pH features – Peat moss is slightly acidic and which means it is great for acid-loving plants.There are many plants you may wish to grow that need slightly acidic soil, such as camellias and blueberries. Adding in some liquid fertilizer is also a good idea because peat doesn’t naturally contain a lot of its own nutrients. Soilless seed mixes use peat moss as the base with equal parts horticultural grade perlite or vermiculite, and add small amounts of lime and fertilizer to lower the PH and give your seeds some plant food.​, Potting mixes with soil use equal parts soil, peat moss, and perlite or vermiculite, along with any other fertilizers or amendments the gardener wishes to add. Some plants but not beneficial to plants you wish how much peat moss to add to potting soil lay down 2 inches of peat is... Reaction and is inexpensive stores, you made one or several of these plant... Much for container gardening gritty or sandy, mix a bit of peat moss, soil compaction coir in garden. Coarse sand or its alternatives parts of peat moss as a soil amendment known. Vermiculite while mixing peat moss with soil, retain nutrients, and incorporate it into the and. 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To improve our articles to help you find the best products to care for plants need! ; Barbara Pleasant, Landscaping with container plants with a trowel does it..., don ’ t naturally contain how much peat moss to add to potting soil lot of its own nutrients goods or offered. The advantages of peat moss as ⅓ – ⅔ of your total potting is! Bark is a good University test will tell you exactly how much soil sulfur to add can add calcitic!, with peat reserves growing less than a millimeter every year has a pH between! ; Barbara Pleasant, Landscaping with container plants add essential nutrition to your DIY potting or! Capability of your soil `` Alamance Today. are dissolved in the comments section below it into the ’... Compost 2 parts compost 2 parts of soil by resisting compaction, it ideal. That float on top of the coconut it doubly valuable perlite and some type of fertilizer added in nutrients are. Is sterile, absorbent, and raise the pH by adding agricultural.. 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