Sustainable Peat Moss Harvesting

I've been touting the benefits of Pro-Mix Soil produced by Premier Horticulture for several years.  I'm convinced that using their Ultimate Organic Mix with Mycorise is one reason the plants at the Garden Home Retreat are so healthy and vigorous. 

Last August I was able to visit the factory in Quebec Canada where Premier produces their soil mixes to see how Sphagnum moss peat is harvested in a sustainable manner.  Along with learning about this earth-friendly process, it was a thrill  to see Pitcher Plants growing in the restored Sphagnum moss bog.

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mulsh

by Esther Sheidy on September 21, 2009 06:42
when is the best time to put mulsh in your flower garden
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Sustainable Peat Moss Harvesting

by Alexander Randall on September 20, 2009 06:28
I am very interested in your article, Mr. Allen, and I would like to bring forward the use of coco fibers as a substitute for peat moss. This is a very sustainable, water retentative solution to over harvested peat bogs and, in my experience, has the capabilities to absorb more water quicker than peat.
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Cocont hull fiber

by lambert_fan
I have 2 snakes and use the coconut hull chunk and shredded fiber for their tank. Every 3 months or so when I have cleaned up the \"poo\" every week and it is time to get more. I take the used out to our compost area. It breaks down good and when I go to get some compost that\'s ready it is just wonderful with all the vegies and coconut husk shreds all broken down to a wonderful soil additive to make it just rich as can be.\r\nHope this helps.

Spagnum moss

by Jerry at, on September 13, 2009 12:42
You say "Ultimate Organic Mix with Mycorise" has made your garden better, you also saidyou whent to see Peat Moss Harvesting but called it Sphagnum moss peat I would like to know where to get the Ultimate Organic Mix and are they all the same Moss? Also is this the same Sphagnum that is in the Oak Trees in Mobile?
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Sphagnum moss

by Kathleen A. Ballou on September 12, 2009 07:50
I've used moss for years and am thrilled to know "Sphagnum moss peat is harvested in a sustainable manner". Thank you for furnishing me with all of this valuable information.
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peat moss bogs

by liz pisani on September 12, 2009 04:46
I found the article very interesting. I had no idea that peat moss came from such a boggy environment or that it was grown in Canada. I guess most people associate peat bogs with the British Ilses. Really enjoyed the story.
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Peat Moss

by Rachel B. Williams on September 12, 2009 02:22
Thank You for sharing this info. It was very interesting
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Re: 09-11-09 Sustainable Peat Moss Harvesting

by on September 12, 2009 10:04
That is very interesting material, Thanks
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peat moss

by Toni on September 12, 2009 09:25
outstanding! absolutely fantastic! I never knew this information, but my dad always supplemented his soils with peat moss when we lived in Connecticut. Now, the soils are pre-amended, but I still have the habit, and didn't know why. Thank you.
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Peat Moss Harvesting

by Larna A. Brown on September 12, 2009 09:13
Thanks for the pictures and descriptions. I always wondered how the peat I take for granted in my gardening is harvested. Good to see that reclaiming the land is a big part of the harvesting effort.
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Spaghum Moss Harvest

by Karen Kunz on September 12, 2009 08:55
This is interesting. I visited a couple rain forests and open areas this summer in Alaska, and saw what I thought was spaghum growing freely. I just didn't realize which part of the country it came from and how it got to my local craft shop. Thanks for the article.
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peat

by on September 12, 2009 08:25
Loved the slide show - so informative ... I use peat all the time!
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Sustainable peat moss

by James Wright on September 12, 2009 08:11
I found this article very interesting. I have to confess, I had no idea where peat moss came from, and tended to associate it with the peat burned in Ireland (duh). I also wonder if Pro-mix is widely available as I haven't seen it locally (Wheeling, West Virginia). It sounds like a great product. Thank you for this wonderful information.
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spaghnum peat moss slide slow

by Phyllis Campbell on September 12, 2009 07:24
Very entertaining and educational. Thank you
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Bog

by Paul Christensen on September 12, 2009 06:03
I wish you would have had more information of the benefits of the products and the way it works. Say pH, water retention, etc. instead of a commercial advertisement of the product.
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Peat Moss farms

by Dave Gauntt on September 11, 2009 10:16
Am I correct to conclude that the restored peat bogs will be fully recovered in 1000 years? I can't say that cheers me up but I guess it's a start it's a start.
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Sustainable peat bogs

by Linda on September 11, 2009 08:51
Allen, I don't understand how this can be considered "sustainable" if it takes thousands of years to replenish the bog to its original state? It looks to me like more of a reclamation project. I usually try to avoid using peat and substitute something else organic, if possible. Can you clear this up for me?
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Moss

by marie shirey on September 11, 2009 08:38
I really enjoyed the slides and education that I gained watching this. We have lots of pitcher plants in the NC bogs and they are fasinating.
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the small type face

by Maureen on September 11, 2009 07:56
Dear Allen, Your articles are good and I enjoy seeing how your Garden Home is coming along, A number of times I have passed over your snap shot descriptions because the lettering is too small & thick to read easily,[I did make it larger ] Times New Roman, TNR Italic , Ariel . Something cleaner not too heavy Thanks , Maureen
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Sphagnum moss bog

by Jo Evans on September 11, 2009 07:25
Thank you, Allen Smith, for the Pro-Mix slide show. Where does one find Pro-Mix, in or around the Washington, DC area?
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sphagnum moss

by AUDREY QUARTERMAIN on September 11, 2009 05:47
often read the word,doing my flowers,but never knew what it was,thanks to you now i know,, thanks
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sphagnum moss

by Raeann Handy on September 11, 2009 05:12
very interesting
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Peat Boggs

by Martha Moyers on September 11, 2009 04:42
Enjoyed learning about this.
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Sphagnum Moss

by Suzanne on September 11, 2009 04:38
After reviewing your video on harvesting the moss for peat I no longer see "dirt" as "dirt". Wow.
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Sphagnum moss in NZ

by Ruth Rogers Clausen on September 11, 2009 03:42
The very best sphagnum is harvested outside Greymouth on the South Island of New Zealand. The bogs are maintained naturally and all harvesting is done by hand by young men with pitchforks to preserve the integrity of the bogs and their ecology.It is marketed under the Angel Moss brand, especially for hanging baskets. I had the opportunity to visit and see the whole operation which is extraordinary. Helicopters fly in and drop winches to attach to the filled sacks and as they are winched in the water falls from the bags like Niagara Falls.
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peat bogs

by Sandy on September 11, 2009 02:08
Allen, that was a very informative article. I had no idea. Thanks for the information and education.
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