Environmental impact of using peat moss

Becky in PA · Post by **Becky in PA** » Oct 08, 2005 9:32 am

Hi--
I had heard in the past that peat moss is a natural resource that is being depleted, that it's better for the environment to find something else. I just got a book on lasagna gardening (see other thread!) that wants me to go out and buy bales of peat moss.

I did a google search, and found the Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association (www.peatmoss.com), and their website was pretty convincing that Canada has strict rules on harvesting and reclaiming peat bogs, that it is a renewable resource, and that they are doing a lot of "re-seeding" of bogs and preservation of virgin bogs.

Does anybody know anything about this issue? I'm thinking that I'll make sure that my bales of peat moss come from Canada. Is that where most of it that we buy in the US comes from, anyway?

Thanks,

Becky in PA

Mary Ann · Post by **Mary Ann** » Oct 09, 2005 12:11 am

Omit the peat moss altogether from the lasagna recipe. It adds no value to the mix that you can't get with your own chopped leaves and those pilfered from your neighborhood.

kHT · Post by **kHT** » Oct 10, 2005 7:32 pm

Mary Ann, One quick question, are there plants that shouldn't have leafmold add to the soil due to the let's say a virus that they carry? It is my understanding that compost would be a better layer than leaves for certain plants? It is also my understanding the peat moss helps break up clay compaction, would that be correct as we are about to till up the brug garden and I could use some help here as it appears you know this well. I've collected leaves in my neighborhood with my shredder and putting them in the composters here first, my thought is a compost tea? Please help as I need a direction as we add another bed.

Becky in PA · Post by **Becky in PA** » Oct 10, 2005 10:30 pm

Wow--thatsa lotta leaves!! I'm excited that for once, I'm planning on doing something like this the right time of year--when leaves will soon be abundant, instead of after they're gone!
Becky

Mary Ann · Post by **Mary Ann** » Oct 10, 2005 10:43 pm

That's about 4 questions, Karma.

Are you concerned about the leaves being virused? All my plants have done well with chopped leaves and leafmold in the soil and over the soil. It lowers the pH of the soil which hosta love, don't know what brugs prefer.

Clay is OK as long as it's mulched. I haven't tilled since discovering lasagna type raised beds. After the ingredients marry for a couple months, I plant right in it and the clay underneath is soft and moist. The worms are busy tilling and aerating for me. I continually add leaves as mulch all season.

I use both compost and leafmold but leaves are easier for me to come by than the other compost ingredients and it's ready to use by the following year without the mixing and turning, and leaves are loaded with nutrients too. If you really need to till that new bed, I would add as much organic materials as you can get your hands on locally and free. That should do as much or more then peat moss might for your clay. Are you planting now or in the spring?

The peat moss industry would have us believe it is renewing itself, dunno, I won't live that long. But why import it when we have leaves everywhere? Can you tell I like leaves?

Old earth dog · Post by **Old earth dog** » Oct 10, 2005 11:05 pm

I haven't used anything but leaves and/or compost in years. The only thing I avoid are leaves from plants that are susceptible to folage problems. I never put paeone (sp) in my compost. Oak and Maple are the most common here.

Becky in PA · Post by **Becky in PA** » Oct 10, 2005 11:44 pm

OK, I'm convinced--leaves are where it's at! But that means I need a leaf shredder, doesn't it? I have a lawn guy, not a lawn mower. Do those handheld gas leaf blower/mulcher things work for these quantities of leaves we seem to be talking about? What do you mega-leaf folks (Mary Ann?) recommend?
Becky

kHT · Post by **kHT** » Oct 10, 2005 11:59 pm

Thanks Mary Ann, I think I have a better picture now!! I'm with you OED and try to be careful when I clean up the neighborhood street of leaves, I might not pick them all up.
I use a blower/vac as long as they are dry and not all bunched up you should do fine. I love ours, beats raking and picking them up by hand. Now I think I'll get a few more extention cord and see just how far I can get in gathering up all the leaves. Again thank Mary Ann, sorry for all the questions. I have done only one layered garden and it's time for a change.

Mary Ann · Post by **Mary Ann** » Oct 11, 2005 3:01 am

Becky, I have a Black & Decker electric shredder/vac but don't use it much, it's just not efficient and the bag gets heavy. My mulching mower does a good job. I can chop a truckload of dry leaves and move them to the sideyard in one day. Maybe you could borrow a mower for a few shredding sessions or ask your lawn guy where to get some already done? Ten bags of loose leaves shred into one bag of mulched leaves.

Becky in PA · Post by **Becky in PA** » Oct 19, 2005 10:35 pm

What do you all use besides chopped leaves in your lasagna layers? I assume the first layer (if there's sod or weeds underneath) is the newspaper. After that do you just alternate compost and leaves, or do you put something else in as well?
Becky

Mary Ann · Post by **Mary Ann** » Oct 20, 2005 12:40 am

I have easy access to stable bedding (manure and wood shavings), and lots of coffee grounds from Starbucks. You can layer in grass clippings and straw too.

ICGardner · Post by **ICGardner** » Oct 20, 2005 5:08 pm

I have made several lasagna beds and use newpaper first, then layers of composted manure,top soil,chopped up leaves, and peat. I have used hay or straw but would not recommend it- it doesn't break down very fast and I had lots of weeds from it. This has worked well for me! I just add more leaves and compost as I can and my plants are happy! Hope this helps. You could check out Patricia Lanza's book "Lasagna Gardening" from your local library- that is what I used the first time I tried this method of making a new bed. Sure saves my aging back

Becky in PA · Post by **Becky in PA** » Oct 20, 2005 10:24 pm

Thanks! I have the book; that's what got me thinking about this. Starbucks, huh. Neat idea!
Becky