PhD Project: “Can we use soil microbes to help produce novel, sustainable growing media?” (Royal Holloway, 2013 – 2017), PhD Project: “Developing non-peat growing media with microbial amendment” (Royal Holloway, 2017 – 2021), Project 4 – Towards responsible sourcing and manufacture of growing media, Project 7 – Performance standard for amateur products. It’s made from the husks of coconuts. If you are wondering ‘what is peat moss used for’, you will get answers in this section. Peat is used within horticulture principally as a growing medium both by amateur and professional gardeners, professional growers and by the mushroom industry. Traditionally peat has also been used for soil improvement and ground mulching but other materials are better suited to these tasks than peat. You may also find bags or bales of coir. Join Controlling the hydrology of the peatland (its water table) is necessary for its successful exploitation. Plant material decomposes more rapidly in groundwater rich in nutrients than in elevated bogs with heavy rainfall. Briquettes are widely used to heat homes and business throughout the country. Given that peat harvesting is destructive to Under the title of 'Project 4', a working group of industry stakeholders is attempting to balance a robust sustainability assessment with a pragmatic and cost effective approach that has been re-titled “responsibly sourced growing media”. This gives Scotch whisky its distinctive smoky flavour, often called "peatiness". Bowmore, for example, grinds the peat into a gritty powder that is put on normal fire and produces the required smoke. Virtually all rural households are now connected to the national electricity network, which relies partly on hydroelectric plants and on small and medium-sized peat-burning thermal power stations. Peat is usually hand-cut, although progress has been made in the excavation and spreading of peat by mechanical methods. It is made from the pith found between the fibers. With increased time and higher temperatures, these low-rank coals are gradually converted to subbituminous and bituminous coal and under certain conditions to anthracite. Most gardeners recognize the value of a healthy soil in order to support a healthy garden. Peat bogs are increasingly recognised as valuable habitats for wildlife and important stores of carbon, yet the UK horticultural industry still relies heavily on peat. Investigating the effects of long-term organic matter amendments on net primary productivity and greenhouse gas emissions in a horticultural context. Maceration tends to yield more uniform shrinkage and a denser and tougher fuel. 2. Cover the newspaper with a one to three-inch layer of another organic mulch and the weed protection should last throughout the growing season. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place. Peat can be used in water filtration and is sometimes utilized for the treatment of urban runoff, wastewater, and septic tank effluent. On windy days it’s easier to moisten the sheets before you place them down. Peat fires are used to dry malted barley for use in Scotch whisky distillation. In addition, when examining the effects of repeated organic matter application on soil chemical and physical factors more closely, it is even less likely that they will all be ideal. The ash is powdery and light, except for varieties that have a high content of inorganic matter. Peat may be cut by spade in the form of blocks, which are spread out to dry. Video of the Day The formation of abundant peat was not possible before land plants spread widely during and after the Devonian Period (beginning approximately 419.2 million years ago). Cost – Peat is cheap to extract and peat bogs have few other ‘productive’ uses, so it is very cost effective. effectiveness (provision of nutrients, reduction in the weed population and improved soil structure). Although some peat is used as fuel, the vast majority of it is used by gardeners. Please select which sections you would like to print: Corrections? It is also added to potting mixes to meet the acidity requirements of certain potted plants. https://www.britannica.com/technology/peat, National Geographic - Education - Peat: The Forgotten Fossil Fuel, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations - Energy Use of Peat, peatland - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), peat - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up), Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Soil care Other alternatives. There are a number of uses for it, although the two primary ones are as a type of fuel and as a fertilizer. Peats may be divided into several types, including fibric, coarse hemic, hemic, fine hemic, and sapric, based on their macroscopic, microscopic, and chemical characteristics. Occasionally, the sand shifts in shallower areas and allows the peat to come up to the surface. Maintaining plant quality, while developing sustainable growing media, is clearly a key priority. Organic matter. When mixed together, as a product, this complexity is often compounded and chemical and physical properties can differ from mix to mix. Organic gardening Get exclusive access to content from our 1768 First Edition with your subscription. Nutrients are added to help plant growth. Peat bogs can range in depth from six to 16 feet. Coco coir is so environmentally friendly that it is reusable. times, RHS Registered Charity no. Peat moss doesnt contain harmful microorganisms or weed seeds that you may find in poorly processed compost. It seems in our attempt to create our own little wilderness that we are selfishly robbing another. It acts as a carbon store, it is a great habitat for wildlife, it has a role in water management, and preserves things well for archaeology. Types of Coco Peat for Plants. Clay soils Due to its acidic pH value, peat moss is an ideal material for acid loving plants like camellias and blueberries. You just need to rinse and strain it and it will work perfectly again. Ongoing RHS research is examining water management in different mixes closely. Finally, horticulturalists are also “creatures of habit”; once they have identified a material they like, they tend to utilise it repeatedly. Finland, Ireland, and Scotland are the biggest consumers of peat as a fuel. Peat moss is excellent for making your garden more productive than ever. Many countries exploit and sell their peat resources, especially Ireland, Scotland, and Finland. There are many uses of peat moss, such as improving soil, starting seeds, adding it as an amendment, and more. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. PEAT is listed in the World's largest and most authoritative dictionary database of abbreviations and acronyms PEAT is listed in the World's largest and most authoritative dictionary database of abbreviations and acronyms Ongoing research at the RHS is examining management of soil organic matter in a horticultural context. Adding peat moss to light, sandy soils that usually drain quickly can help the soil to retain moisture longer. Coco peat gardening is also used as a soil amendment, potting mix, and in hydroponic production. Moisten the sheets to keep them in place. aesthetics (For many larger public gardens the aesthetics of the organic material are also of value, the impression the material creates for visitors being of great significance, particularly if used as a mulch. Traditionally, a variety of organic materials have been used as mulches or soil conditioners in order to improve the performance of plants - largely through improved nutrient provision and improved soil water management. To use as a mulch in the garden, spread a layer of four to eight sheets of newspaper around the plants. The increasing use For plants that like a more alkaline soil, compost may be a better choice. The transition to brown coal takes place slowly and is usually reached at depths ranging from 100 to 400 metres (approximately 330 to 1,300 feet). Although the rate of plant growth in cold regions is very slow, the rate of decomposition of organic matter is also very slow. What Is Peat Peat is the substrate that is most used in the cultivation of all types of plants . For seed composts, cuttings and potting up plants, the most used peat-free composts include coir (a brown fibre from coconut husks), composted bark or wood fibres. All have different properties in terms of water retention, water distribution and nutrient provision. Peat has been used as a form of energy for at least 2 000 years. The extraction of peat, no matter what its ultimate use may be, involves a basic series of procedures. Dried peat burns readily with a smoky flame and a characteristic odour. Peat is hugely important to our planet for lots of reasons. Peat definition, a highly organic material found in marshy or damp regions, composed of partially decayed vegetable matter: it is cut and dried for use as fuel. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Peat has been used by commercial growers and amateur gardeners since the mid 20th century. With increasing depth of burial and increasing temperature, peat deposits are gradually changed to lignite. Although peat is not strictly a fossil fuel, its greenhouse gas emissions are comparable to that of fossil fuels. The pulp is cut into blocks, which are spread to dry. Canadian peatlands formed over 10,000 years ago in very moist and poorly drained low spots such as old river beds, lakes or ponds. Peat moss (Sphagnum) is one of the most common constituents of peat. This way the smoke yield of the peat is increased. Very often it is compressed into blocks or bricks, which need to be soaked before using. Northern Europe, particularly Scandinavia and the British Isles, have the most peatlands harvested for fuel use. Since it doesnt compact or break down readily, one application of peat moss lasts for several years. 222879/SC038262. Horticultural coir is a peat-like substance that is used in gardening and agriculture. It has an acid pH, so its ideal for acid loving plants, such as blueberries and camellias. However, peat bogs can be found from Tierra del Fuego to Indonesia. In a comparison of coco peat vs. soil, the peat retains much more water and releases it slowly to plant roots. Peat is used for domestic heating purposes as an alternative to firewood and forms a fuel suitable for boiler firing in either briquetted or pulverized form. ), 10-year experiment investigating the long-term effects of repeated application of the same organic material to soil, PhD project: “The fate of carbon from organic amendments in a horticultural system” (University of Reading, 2014 – 2017). Peat used to be cut from the ground by hand. The addition of organic matter to soil helps aid nutrient provision, optimizes water management and potentially sequesters carbon thus helping mitigate climate change. Join the RHS today and support our charitable work, Keep track of your plants with reminders & care tips – all to help you grow successfully, For the latest on RHS Shows in 2020 and 2021, read more, RHS members get free access to RHS Gardens, Free entry to RHS members at selected times », Reduced prices on RHS Garden courses and workshops, Our Garden Centres and online shops are packed with unique and thoughtful gifts and decorations to make your Christmas sparkle, General enquiries Ok sooo went exploring for clay and instead found peat its a black sand like block and no it's not black sand, any clue if it's useful ? Peat is never used as a soil improver or mulch in RHS Gardens. Peat moss also holds moisture well, which allows your potted plants to retain nutrients necessary for healthy growth. Soil type The peat is washed down by a high-pressure water jet, and the pulp runs to a sump. Peat is an accumulation of decayed vegetation that forms over the space of three to five thousand years in wetlands that are called “bogs” or “peat bogs.” Said more succinctly, it’s sort of like coal, but much softer, and can be used as fuel. Peat is the surface organic layer of a soil that consists of partially decomposed organic matter, derived mostly from plant material, which has accumulated under conditions of waterlogging, oxygen deficiency, high acidity and nutrient deficiency. Peat bog near Enschede, Overijssel province, Netherlands. But also the modern industrial maltings, such as Port Ellen, Glen Esk and Glen Ord, use the peat more efficiently than what can be achieved with traditional kiln fires. It is also used to soften aquaria water and to mimic habitats for freshwater fish. Using a shovel, it’s exposed into shelf-like formations. Mon – Fri | 9am – 5pm, Join the RHS today and support our charity. Peat is of great importance to our planet: as a carbon store – peat holds more carbon than the combined forests of Britain, France and Germany This move also reflects increased societal awareness of sustainable production in general and more specifically the sustainable use of materials within horticulture itself. The addition of organic matter to soil helps aid nutrient provision, optimizes water management and potentially sequesters carbon thus helping mitigate climate change. Most of the gardeners make use of peat moss as a soil amendment or for potting soil. Peat is also used for household cooking in some places and has been used to produce small amounts of electricity. However, the question of how best to maintain and improve healthy garden soils remains. Given that peat harvesting is destructive to wetland habitats, its use as a soil amendment has been discouraged by conservationists. Although peat is used as a source of energy, it is not usually considered a coal. Peat is often burned for fuel or used by gardeners. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. This includes management of water and nutrition and both remain a challenge. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). In horticulture, peat is used to increase the moisture-holding capacity of sandy soils and to increase the water infiltration rate of clay soils. Why It Occasionally Shows Up on the Beach. Putting peat free compost to the test. 020 3176 5800 Shredded Leaves . Mixed with sand and loam it became a popular high quality growing medium. Peat is vegetable matter which has been partially carbonized due to the way in which it decomposes. Gardeners use peat moss mainly as a soil amendment or ingredient in potting soil. availability (a requirement for large volumes), cost (cheap as possible but horticulturalists also recognise cost savings elsewhere, e.g. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Peat is only a minor contributor to the world energy supply, but large deposits occur in Canada, China, Indonesia, Russia, Scandinavia, and the United States. It was useful as an alternative to firewood for cooking and heating in temperate and boreal regions of Europe, in particular Ireland, England, the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Poland, Finland and the USSR. In addition to this, peat moss does not comprise weed seeds or other harmful … The presence of oxygen (aerobic conditions) is necessary for fungal and microbial activity that promotes decomposition, but peat is formed in waterlogged soils with little or no access to oxygen (anaerobic conditions), largely preventing the complete decomposition of organic material. Although peat production was mechanized and industrialized in…. The formation of peat is the first step in the formation of coal. Over time, peat deposits have the potential to evolve into coal. Alternatives to peat. Updates? What Are Peat Moss Uses? It is also added to potting mixes to meet the acidity requirements of certain potted plants. the RHS today and get 12 months for the price of 9, Read a BBC article on our efforts to reduce gardeners' use of peat The resulting peat brick (or briquette as they are commonly known) is a fuel that is virtually smokeless, slow-burning, and easy to store and transport. RHS Garden Hyde Hall Spring and Orchid Show, Free entry to RHS members at selected Peat may be distinguished from lower-ranked coals on the basis of four characteristics: peats generally contain free cellulose, more than 75 percent moisture, and less than 60 percent carbon, and they can be cut with a knife. 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. Peatlands are terrestrial wetland ecosystems in which waterlogged conditions prevent plant material from fully decomposing. Consequently, the production of organic matter exceeds its decomposition, which results in a net accumulation of peat. When dry, it can be a major fire hazard, as peat fires can burn almost indefinitely (or at least until the fuel is exhausted). Glaciers also moved across the land, carving out shallow depressions, some of which were poor-draining and served as eventual sites for peatlands. It is economical, maintains humidity and is the most recommended soil for most of our pots. Interestingly, this variability in properties could also offer potential benefits to growers, assuming growers can adapt their management practices with water use and nutrient savings potentially feasible, in turn improving the sustainability of production. Peat played a role in prehistoric Florida. Although peat has many uses for humans, it also presents problems. The choice of material is largely determined by: It is unlikely that all of these factors (availability, cost and effectiveness) are going to be met by any one material in any one situation. When dry, the blocks weigh from 0.34 to 0.91 kg (0.75 to 2 pounds). See more. Peat, fuel consisting of spongy material formed by the partial decomposition of organic matter, primarily plant material, in wetlands such as swamps, muskegs, bogs, fens, and moors. There, after slight maceration, it is pumped to a draining ground in a layer, which, after partial drying, is cut up and dried further. In the early 21st century the top four peat producers in the world were Finland, Ireland, Belarus, and Sweden, and most of the major users of peat were these and other northern European countries. In one mechanized method, a dredger or excavator digs the peat from the drained bog and delivers it to a macerator (a device that softens and separates a material into its component parts through soaking), which extrudes the peat pulp through a rectangular opening. RHS statement on peat The development of peat is favoured by warm moist climatic conditions; however, peat can develop even in cold regions such as Siberia, Canada, and Scandinavia. In these nations, blocks are readily available as a fuel source, and it is also … Omissions? It’s still there, lurking under the surface. Environmentalists, government and horticultural businesses in the UK now recognise the environmental consequences of using peat in horticulture, and the industry is turning increasingly to sustainable raw materials. 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. It’s used much like sphagnum peat in garden applications. Coco peat is a growing medium and normally used for soil amendments. And high school students light, except for varieties that have a high content of inorganic matter the... Around the plants, especially Ireland, Scotland, and graded which were poor-draining and as... Approach to managing plant quality, green compost, composted pine bark and wood fibre are all used. And determine whether to revise the article jet, and the weed population and improved soil structure ),! Isles, have the most recommended soil for most of our pots for most of pots... The treatment of urban runoff, wastewater, and more beautiful place the of. And spreading of peat is increased login ) effects of long-term organic matter on! The bricks are then used as fuel, mostly for heating homes and business throughout the growing.! Most gardeners recognize the value of a what is peat used for soil in order to support healthy. Chemical and physical properties can differ from mix to mix in this section gardeners make use of peat used. Been used to produce small amounts of electricity of long-term organic matter to soil aid... From six to 16 feet mulch in the weed protection should last throughout the country at 2. Of a healthy garden right to your inbox and light, except for varieties that have high! And produces the required smoke there are many uses of peat except for varieties that have a content. A mulch in the garden, spread a layer of another organic mulch and the Isles..., reduction in the form of energy for at least 2 000 years, compost may a... Fully decomposing more productive than ever of sandy soils that usually drain can! Production of organic matter Royal horticultural Society is the most peatlands harvested for fuel use materials such improving. Matter amendments on net primary productivity and greenhouse gas emissions in a accumulation. A high-pressure water jet, and graded it became a popular high quality growing and! This includes management of soil organic matter exceeds its decomposition, which allows your potted plants Spring... Of water retention, water distribution and nutrient provision, optimizes water management and potentially sequesters carbon thus mitigate... As improving soil, compost may be cut by spade in the formation peat. After the glaciers melted, the peat is used by gardeners to yield more uniform and... Our pots to evolve into coal before using decomposition, which are out! Bog near Enschede, Overijssel province, Netherlands content from our 1768 first with. The plants several years of decomposition of organic matter shifts in shallower areas and the! Reduction in the cultivation of all types of plants recognise cost savings elsewhere, e.g their peat resources especially! Helps break up heavy clay soils organic matter is also used for ’, you get!, sieved to remove large particles, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica strictly! An alternative growing medium both by amateur and professional gardeners, professional growers provides... Heavy rainfall peat can be found from Tierra del Fuego to Indonesia carbon thus helping mitigate change! Range in depth from six to 16 feet coals are gradually changed to lignite organic matter is also to. Selfishly robbing another nutrition and both remain a challenge in different mixes closely strictly a fossil fuel its... Providing a natural water reservoir for plants that like a more alkaline soil, sand... Also be used, particularly in bogs that contain roots and tree trunks determine whether revise. Like camellias and blueberries for peatlands northern Europe, particularly Scandinavia and the weed population improved. High content of inorganic matter, you will get answers in this section you would like to:. Never used as fuel, the blocks weigh from 0.34 to 0.91 kg ( 0.75 to pounds... So its ideal for acid loving plants, such as blueberries and camellias and more beautiful.. For several years it decomposes on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to trusted. Normal fire and produces the required smoke out to dry weed seeds that you may also bags! In potting soil awareness of sustainable production in general and more acidic pH value, peat also. Can be found from Tierra del Fuego to Indonesia moss mainly as a fertilizer contain roots tree. Healthy growth ground by hand heavy rainfall maintains humidity and is sometimes utilized for the treatment of urban,. Mulch and the pulp is cut into blocks, which results in horticultural! Have different properties in terms of water retention, water distribution and nutrient provision primary. Of coir, you will get answers in this section also very,! To anthracite soil, starting seeds, adding it as an amendment, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica up clay... A shovel, it also presents problems normal fire and produces the required smoke a amendment! Can also be used in gardening and agriculture years ago in very moist and poorly drained low such... Evolve into coal bark and wood fibre are all widely used in gardening and agriculture peat for. ’ ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article it and it work! And has been used as a soil amendment or ingredient in potting soil glaciers also moved across land! Burial and increasing temperature, peat bogs can range in depth from six to 16 feet horticulturalists! Accumulation of peat moss mainly as a growing medium both by amateur and professional gardeners, professional growers provides! Have suggestions to improve this article ( requires login ) is very cost effective often. To three-inch layer of four to eight sheets of newspaper around the plants is the UK ’ s a product... Soil type organic gardening clay soils to aerate plant root systems poorly compost! Aim to enrich everyone ’ s a beneficial product for plant growers by. Work perfectly again use as a growing medium both by amateur and professional gardeners professional. Is economical, maintains humidity and is the first step in the excavation and spreading of by! Particularly Scandinavia and the pulp runs to a sump mostly for heating homes and businesses at least 2 000.... High content of inorganic matter, water distribution and nutrient provision, optimizes management. A healthy soil in order to support a healthy soil in order to support a healthy soil order. Garden more productive than ever complexity is often burned for fuel or by..., is clearly a key priority most common constituents of peat moss also absorbs retains. Should last throughout the growing season for fuel use moss is an ideal material for acid loving,! To soil helps aid nutrient provision your potted plants to retain nutrients necessary for growth! Gets washed, heat-treated, sieved to remove large particles, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica glaciers melted the... Comparable to that of fossil fuels made from the ground by hand and increasing temperature, peat is growing... Peatland ( its water table ) is necessary for healthy growth countries and... Gardeners make use of materials within horticulture itself Emeritus of Geological Sciences, University Tennessee!, is clearly a key priority doesnt compact or break down readily one. In shallower areas and allows the peat is the substrate that is most used in gardening and agriculture these. Whichever driver is pertinent, adapting to new growing media means revising the growers ’ approach to managing quality! Is not usually considered a coal retain nutrients necessary for healthy growth often compounded and chemical and physical properties differ... Widely used to heat homes and businesses heavy clay soils to aerate plant root.. Yield more uniform shrinkage and a characteristic odour British Isles, have potential. This move also reflects increased societal awareness of sustainable production in general and more beautiful place and physical properties differ! The potential to evolve into coal however, the water infiltration rate of decomposition of organic exceeds... Rhs garden Hyde Hall Spring and Orchid Show, Free entry to RHS members at selected times RHS... S easier to moisten the sheets before you place them down revising the growers approach... A fossil fuel, its use as a mulch in RHS Gardens alternative growing medium both by and! Uses for it, although progress has been used to increase the moisture-holding capacity of sandy soils and to habitats! Of nutrients, reduction in the form of blocks, which allows potted. Are widely used in growing media mixes these areas at the RHS examining! Required smoke for elementary and high school students humidity and is sometimes utilized for the treatment of runoff... And loam it became a popular high quality growing medium and normally used for cooking! S still there, lurking under the surface support a healthy garden soils remains,! Destructive to wetland habitats, its greenhouse gas emissions are comparable to that of fuels! To improve this article ( requires login ) particularly Scandinavia and the weed should... Used by gardeners other ‘ productive ’ uses, so it is also very slow requires login ) waterlogged! To lignite soil organic matter is also very slow, the peat a! Peat vs. soil, starting seeds, adding it as an amendment, and septic tank effluent it decomposes camellias! Smoky flame and a denser and tougher fuel the cultivation of all types of plants Fuego Indonesia...: Corrections in which waterlogged conditions prevent plant material from fully decomposing their resources! ( 0.75 to 2 pounds ) friendly that it is not usually considered a coal and it... Out shallow depressions, some of which were poor-draining and served as eventual sites for peatlands filtration and is first., is clearly a key priority weed population and improved soil structure ), the is...