How to Use Sphagnum Peat

Sphagnum peat moss is the dead, decomposing matter that collects beneath the top, living level of a peat bog. Sphagnum peat is an organic soil conditioner that aerates poor soil and holds in moisture and nutrients to feed plant roots. These properties allow the gardener to water and fertilize less often, and promise a healthy, prolific vegetable or flower garden. Most of North America's sphagnum peat is produced in Canada, and it is widely available in home improvement stores and nurseries in many countries, including the United States.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sphagnum peat
• Soil pH test kit
• Lime
• Shovel
• Hand trowel
• Rototiller

Using Sphagnum Peat

1. Test the pH of your garden soil using an inexpensive pH test kit from a nursery or home improvement store, or bring a soil sample into the store for testing. If your soil pH is acidic (below 7.0), add some lime with the sphagnum peat, as the peat itself is acidic. If your soil pH is alkaline (above 7.0), adding the sphagnum peat alone should neutralize it. The ideal soil pH for most plants is 7.0, or neutral.

2. Spread two inches of sphagnum peat on top of your garden's soil. If your soil pH is acidic, add a thin layer of lime to the sphagnum peat.

3. Rototill the sphagnum peat into the top 6 to 8 inches of garden soil.

4. Plant your garden seeds or transplant seedlings into the prepared garden soil.

5. Water the garden lightly.

Tips & Warnings

• Existing flower gardens may also benefit from sphagnum peat. Use a hand trowel to mix sphagnum peat into the top 6 inches of existing garden soil, being careful not to disturb any roots.
• Do not leave sphagnum peat on the soil's surface as it repels water in its dry state. The sphagnum peat will absorb and hold moisture only when mixed into the soil.

References

• www.peatmoss.com - vegetables and flowers
• www.rdrop.com
• http://psnaturecreations.com

Resources

• www.thegardenhelper - Soil pH
• www.gardening-advisor.com