When Gardening, Skip the Peat Moss

Posted on October 23, 2008 by Joyce Benson Add a Comment |
Tag(s): Greenhouse Gas Emissions / Global Warming, The Great Green Outdoors

The peat moss that is commercially sold in the U.S., as a soil amendment, is typically the decomposed product of Canadian sphagnum moss which has been growing for thousands of years in wetland areas called peat bogs. Of course, here in America, our wetland areas have been compromised by rampant development. The decomposed, muddy peat moss holds water, air, and carbon dioxide, a potent greenhouse gases. But when it is dug up and dried out, especially on such a massive scale, carbon dioxide is released into the air.

Not only do these wetland areas absorb and store carbon dioxide, but they act as nature’s water purifiers, and provide flood prevention and a home to rare wildlife.

Treehugger posted an article yesterday regarding a $12.3 million wetland restoration project that is working to combat global climate change.

So, what’s a gardener to do? Well, there are actually lots of alternatives to peat moss, some of which are cheaper and may work better since peat moss has no nutritional value. According to Natural Life Magazine, ‘wood-waste, spent mushroom compost, composted garden or green kitchen waste, leaf mold or well-rotted farmyard manure are more effective soil enrichers.’

photo courtesy of Jenifer Hanen