PEAT MOSS --
a few things I've learned about peat moss as a horticultural 'ingredient' -- take what you will from the following:
1) yes it is non-renewable & there are concerns in the environmental community about harvesting & etc -- point made - there is nothing quite like it, and it is organic - as in - it is derived from carbon-based life forms, not inorganic chemicals. I think the industry is moving towards coconut coir - in bagged soil. I think you can buy that as an ingredient - I haven't used, other than in already mixed soils. Don't know coconut coir hazards, benefits, or anything else...
2) As peat moss that is sold in dry, compressed bales - the dry particles may become airborne & can be inhaled. Reread this -- the DRY particles may become airborne. Mumsy says she uses a mask - I think this would be a good precaution especially when stirring up the dry, right out of the plastic-bale, bag stuff. For this reason, I personally, would be cautious about adding completely dry stuff to a dust bin for the chickens - would wonder about airborne particles being inhaled??? But I have no personal experience with that -- just adding it as a thought. (I use fireplace ashes over sand for my chicks...???)
3) when peat moss is dry it is hydro - PHOBIC (water-shedding). When it is slightly moistened, it becomes hydro PHYLLIC (water-absorbing). When mixing peat moss into a soil recipe, we will often add a very small amount of dish soap to the water, to enable the peat moss to initially begin to accept water. The soap serves to break the phobic 'shell' if you will. You can see this on a newly opened bag - very dry peat moss - sprinkle drops of water onto it & you will see it roll off without being absorbed. Once exposed to humidity however, it will readily accept water & expand. This is not widely known amongst us casual users of peat moss - who think only of peat moss in its later state, and do not understand this first hydro-phobic state as it is sold & marketed (lighter & easier to ship). Leaving a bag open to ambient moisture, outside, will help. I think you can find bagged pre-moistened peat moss, but it would be more expensive than the equivalent dry.
4) in horticulture classes, we were told there is some odd something in peat moss that may cause a rash. Don't recall the details - but they said if we ever came up with an unexplained rash on our arms, to let the doctor know we worked with peat, to diagnose. Don't know if this was urban legend, or how often, or anything -- just mentioning here, in case you run into something like this. I've used peatmoss in soil 'recipes' for decades & not had anything like this happen, but it's lodged in the back of my brain, so am sharing.
as said - take what you will - this is just what i know from making 'dirt' - barb
a few things I've learned about peat moss as a horticultural 'ingredient' -- take what you will from the following:
1) yes it is non-renewable & there are concerns in the environmental community about harvesting & etc -- point made - there is nothing quite like it, and it is organic - as in - it is derived from carbon-based life forms, not inorganic chemicals. I think the industry is moving towards coconut coir - in bagged soil. I think you can buy that as an ingredient - I haven't used, other than in already mixed soils. Don't know coconut coir hazards, benefits, or anything else...
2) As peat moss that is sold in dry, compressed bales - the dry particles may become airborne & can be inhaled. Reread this -- the DRY particles may become airborne. Mumsy says she uses a mask - I think this would be a good precaution especially when stirring up the dry, right out of the plastic-bale, bag stuff. For this reason, I personally, would be cautious about adding completely dry stuff to a dust bin for the chickens - would wonder about airborne particles being inhaled??? But I have no personal experience with that -- just adding it as a thought. (I use fireplace ashes over sand for my chicks...???)
3) when peat moss is dry it is hydro - PHOBIC (water-shedding). When it is slightly moistened, it becomes hydro PHYLLIC (water-absorbing). When mixing peat moss into a soil recipe, we will often add a very small amount of dish soap to the water, to enable the peat moss to initially begin to accept water. The soap serves to break the phobic 'shell' if you will. You can see this on a newly opened bag - very dry peat moss - sprinkle drops of water onto it & you will see it roll off without being absorbed. Once exposed to humidity however, it will readily accept water & expand. This is not widely known amongst us casual users of peat moss - who think only of peat moss in its later state, and do not understand this first hydro-phobic state as it is sold & marketed (lighter & easier to ship). Leaving a bag open to ambient moisture, outside, will help. I think you can find bagged pre-moistened peat moss, but it would be more expensive than the equivalent dry.
4) in horticulture classes, we were told there is some odd something in peat moss that may cause a rash. Don't recall the details - but they said if we ever came up with an unexplained rash on our arms, to let the doctor know we worked with peat, to diagnose. Don't know if this was urban legend, or how often, or anything -- just mentioning here, in case you run into something like this. I've used peatmoss in soil 'recipes' for decades & not had anything like this happen, but it's lodged in the back of my brain, so am sharing.
as said - take what you will - this is just what i know from making 'dirt' - barb
