One reads again and again about peat-reduced soils and co. But what exactly is peat and how is it formed? We reveal whether you need peat in your garden and why you should use it sparingly.
Peat is still the starting material for many potting soils. We explain what peat actually is, how it is formed and at the same time we would like to take a look into the near future. Because peat will soon only be used in small amounts in horticulture to protect the climate and valuable ecosystems.
What is peat?
Peat is a form of humus that is formed in moors due to the lack of oxygen under water and the acidic pH value from dead moor plants. Peat consists of incompletely decomposed and preserved plant remains, mainly peat moss (Sphagnum).
Because there are different types of peat, the properties of peat can also vary. Peat from fens is strongly acidic to basic (pH 3.2 to 7.5), heavily decomposed and rich in nutrients. Raised bog peat, on the other hand, is highly acidic (pH 2.5 to 3.5), decomposes less easily and is poor in nutrients.
Only peat from raised bogs is used for gardening. Old black peat is hidden several meters deep in the ground. It is fine and parts of the plant are hardly recognizable. Younger white peat can be found in the upper layers of the raised bog. You can still see the structure of the barely rotted plants very well.
Because of its beneficial properties, raised bog peat is perfect for potting soil. Unfortunately, however, its extraction and use damages the environment both regionally and globally - for this reason peat is a climate and species killer in the garden.
Tip: Some readers may remember: Before it was used in potting soil, peat was burned for heating or used as bedding in animal stalls.
How is peat formed?
Peat is created by the accumulation of non-decomposed or hardly decomposed organic material in the absence of oxygen in water-saturatedMoors.
Peat formation in moors began around 12,000 years ago. Because moors store a lot of rainwater or are fed from groundwater, they are water-saturated. Under these conditions, most decomposing organisms cannot live and do their work, or only poorly. For this reason, an ever thicker layer of plant material accumulates in bogs over time. This is reinforced by the establishment of a very high degree of acidity in some bog types. Because this deposited plant matter is largely made up of carbon compounds, peatlands are rightly called huge and important CO2 reservoirs, removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. However, when peat is used, it is released again - and thus fuels the greenhouse effect.
Peat in the garden: uses & alternatives
Peat has been used in horticulture for several decades. Because it has physical and chemical properties that are very beneficial to plant growth, it has long been an integral part of potting soil.
Due to its favorable pore size distribution, it can store a lot of water without the roots of plants suffering from a lack of oxygen. In addition, its pH is very low and can easily be adjusted to the needs of each plant with the help of lime. When dry, it's fairly light, making it easy to transport. And last but not least, it is very low in nutrients. The nutrient content can also be individually adjusted for the plants to be cultivated. It is also popular in bog beds because of its high acidity: Rhododendrons (Rhododendron), hydrangeas (Hydrangea), skimmias ( Skimmia japonica), lavender heather (Pieris japonica) as well as blueberries (Vaccinium) greatly benefit from planting with peat .
But peat is getting scarce: According to current forecasts, global peat reserves could only cover our needs for a few more decades. In addition, the removal of peat - no matter how gently it is carried out - releases large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Complete abandonment or at least a sharp reduction in use is therefore a worthwhile goal in view of climate change. We are not the only ones who are turning our potting soils upside down with our peat-free and peat-reduced Plantura soils in organic quality. Also the professional horticulture andOf course environmental organizations as well as German and European nature conservation have recognized: Peat-free and peat-reduced potting soil is the future and peat-containing soil should be a thing of the past as soon as possible.
Peat-free or peat-reduced soil can be mixed from a wide variety of components: wood fiber, compost, sand, clay minerals, various coconut materials, perlite and xylitol can be mixed in the right proportions to meet the needs of our plants, just like peat. Coconut pulp (also called cocopeat, also "Coconut peat") has a very similar water and air capacity like peat. Clay minerals and compost ensure good nutrient storage capacity and perlite ensure good structural stability.
Tip: You can also mix peat-free potting soil yourself: If you have compost, we will explain here how mixing compost soil works.