Peat Soil Explained: 5 Pros and Cons of Peat Soil

Peat soil is a type of soil made from decomposed organic materials that form over thousands of years. Peat soil has a high percentage of organic matter content from plant materials like decaying sphagnum peat moss. Peat soil accumulates in wetland ecosystems called peatlands or peat bogs. These bogs are found throughout Russia, Scotland, and Southeast Asia in countries like Indonesia and Malaysia. The majority of peat soil in the United States comes from peat bogs in Canada.

Peat soil is a useful soil amendment for potting soil, but it comes at a high cost.

1. 1. Peat soil prevents compaction. Peat soil can increase aeration in your organic soil mix and allow your plants’ roots room to breathe.
2. 2. Peat soil is pathogen-free. Unlike untreated compost, peat soil is a good option for seed starting as it rarely contains harmful microorganisms like weed seeds or bad bacteria.
3. 3. Peat soil retains moisture. The organic materials in peat soil lock moisture in, making it a useful soil amendment for drier soil types like sandy soil.
4. 4. Peat soil is acidic. Peat soil has low pH levels and it can improve soil conditions in alkaline soils—especially for plants that thrive with higher levels of acidity like blueberries and azaleas.
5. 5. Peat soil is a non-renewable resource. The most significant downside to peat soil is that it is an unsustainable, non-renewable resource. Harvesting peat soil can contribute to climate change by releasing greenhouse gas emissions like carbon dioxide and methane into the air. Consider opting for a more environmentally friendly soil amendment option like compost, organic mulch like pine needles, or coco coir, a byproduct of the coconut processing industry.

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