Important Features Of The Use Of Peat

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Peat is deservedly considered a truly unique natural material - there are really a lot of benefits from it! It is actively used in agricultural affairs and in the energy industry, as well as in cosmetology, for medical purposes, and even in the production of all kinds of carpets, various fabrics or insulation! And creative Scots produce a very unusual "peat" whiskey (peat in this case serves as a fuel for drying malt, which in turn makes it possible to give the finished drink a very unusual aroma)! But in order to get the most out of peat, it doesn't hurt to know about some important features of its use

Why is peat useful?

Modern summer residents use it quite widely as mulch or organic fertilizer, and also as one of the most important components of compost or soil. And peat is also an excellent filler for country dry closets, and excellent cups or tablets for growing seedlings are made from it! In general, almost every summer resident has come across one or another type of peat! So what should you pay attention to before you start using it?

Peat is not always the same

Peat is a mineral that forms in swampy areas as a result of the layering of both plant and animal remains. At the same time, these remnants can be layered on top of each other for thousands of years, often lying at a depth of up to ten meters!

The division of peat into certain types is due to both the degree of its decomposition and composition, as well as the place of its formation. It is customary to distinguish three main types of peat: the first is transitional, the second is high-moor and the third is low-lying. Moreover, the “lower” the peat layer is, the higher the degree of its decomposition will be, and with it the density with moisture, as well as the content of all kinds of valuable microelements and nutrients.

In summer cottages, absolutely any kind of peat can be used quite safely, however, it is necessary to take into account the fact that they tend to differ significantly from each other in terms of acidity! If high-moor peat is characterized by an acidic or strongly acidic reaction, then lowland peat boasts an approaching neutral or slightly acidic reaction. And in order not to cause the slightest harm to either the plants or the soil, you must definitely remember this!

Not every soil needs peat

Without a doubt, the beneficial properties of this substance should not be underestimated. When introduced into the soil, it significantly improves both its structure and its composition, making it moisture and air permeable, porous and very light. With low soil acidity, peat perfectly helps to normalize it, and it invariably enriches poor soils with a number of valuable nutrient compounds. The high and very impressive thermal insulation qualities of peat make it possible to provide plant roots with reliable protection from sudden temperature changes, and as a natural antiseptic, it is valuable for its ability to heal the soil and significantly weaken the effect of pesticides and pathogenic microorganisms that penetrate into it. In addition, peat contains amino acids that help vegetation to assimilate most of the microelements and humic acids that stimulate the development and growth of various crops.

However, all of the above properties are absolutely not a reason to immediately run to the site and generously sprinkle the soil with peat, because not every soil needs it! If the soil on the site can boast of a good composition and high fertility, then the use of peat in this case becomes simply unproductive and impractical. But if the soil is sandy, too dense clayey, and also depleted or very poor, it is really worth resorting to the help of peat - in combination with other fertilizers, it will contribute to a significant improvement in its structure and a noticeable increase in yield.

Proper preparation is the key to success

Before you start using peat, it must be properly prepared: even low-lying peat varieties, which can be added to the soil in a pure form, must first be thoroughly crushed and distributed over any surface for proper ventilation (in this form it is left for several months), since being fresh, such peat can be very toxic to garden vegetation. At the same time, it is extremely important not to overdry it, since in this case it can lose at least half of its most valuable properties. And on top of that, too dry peat often "squeezes out" moisture vital for vegetation from the soil!

And it is generally unacceptable to use high-moor peat without appropriate processing! If this rule is neglected, it can lead to an increase in soil acidity, which in turn will lead to inhibition of development and sometimes even a complete cessation of plant growth. In addition, it is completely unsuitable for use as an independent feeding, since it cannot boast of impressive amounts of nutrients - it makes sense to use high-moor peat only after it has been composted and combined with appropriate additives. In general, it is better to use any peat in combination with other mineral fertilizers or organic matter - this will allow you to achieve the best effect!

The instant effect is not about peat

Everyone who uses peat needs to know that it is a prolonged-release fertilizer, that is, in order to get the most out of it, you will have to be patient for two or three years! So be patient and wait - if you use it correctly, the result will definitely please you!