They have an acidic pH, ranging from 3.5 to 6, on average.On the upside, any excess water quickly moves through the material and drains out. Peat mosses can absorb and retain up to 25 times their dry weight in water this is more than natural sponges can hold. Peat moss holds an incredible amount of water yet drains freely.Due to a sizeable list of benefits, it is one of the most widely used types of growing media. In the 1940s peat moss found its place in horticulture, after being used for years as a fuel source. So peat moss is peat, but not all peat is peat moss. Peat moss is a specific type of peat, formed in areas with a high concentration of sphagnum moss. Peat forms in marshy wet areas as layers of partially decayed plant matter accumulate to form a dense, fibrous material that is highly absorbent. While they are related there is a slight difference between the two. What Is Peat Moss?įirst, we should talk a little about the difference between peat and peat moss as the two terms are often tossed around interchangeably. Once you have a better understanding of the different products you can decide which is a suitable alternative for your needs. To determine the best peat moss alternative for your situation, it’s helpful to understand what peat moss is, its pros and cons, and the pros and cons of suitable replacements. Each has pros and cons, but are ideal alternatives to peat moss in many situations. What are the alternatives to peat moss? There are plenty of peat moss alternatives, including coconut coir, compost, bark or wood fibre, pine needles, leaf mold, and manure. For a long time, it’s been a staple product in gardening but is coming under scrutiny lately for sustainability issues, prompting people to look for alternatives to peat moss to use. It’s used as a growing media in containers and pots, and a soil amendment for garden soil. Peat moss is one of those products in gardening that most everyone is familiar with.

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