Peat as a fertilizer for your site

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Remains of dead plants gradually accumulate in the aerated layer of the swamp. They are hymified and mineralized. The roots of dead plants under anaerobic conditions are preserved in this medium. Thus, a layer of peat is gradually formed. The intensity of the decay of organic matter under such conditions depends on the type of plants that have fallen into the swamp. Its upper aerated layer is also called the "peat horizon", since it is in it that new layers of this substance are formed. The composition of the resulting material includes chemicals such as carbon, oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen. It is mined most often in these swamps. They are also called peat bogs. Their areas are sometimes truly huge.

Peat as a fertilizer can be a very effective tool. However, if his

just scatter across the field, it will not give anything. In addition, improper use of this product will only harm the plants, as it will increase the acidity of the soil and enrich it with harmful organisms. In addition, it is important to consider that peat as a fertilizer does not provide nutrients to the soil, but only improves its structure, making itmore loose. It partially acts as an antiseptic. Therefore, if the soil in your area contains humus and has the optimal composition for vegetables and fruits to grow on it, then this remedy will not work. But if the soil is sandy or lacks organic matter, then you should use peat as a fertilizer for your site.

Important indicators of the quality of this material are the degree of decomposition and the level of ash content after combustion. If the first one is above forty percent, then

such peat is not suitable as greenhouse soil. Also, its important indicator is how saturated it is with useful substances. The more of them, the lower the acidity, the more suitable peat as a fertilizer. How to determine its pH? There are special indicators for this. But what if you have trouble getting them? You can then use another method. Put a few cherry or blackcurrant leaves in a glass of transparent glass and pour boiling water over it. After the liquid has cooled, throw in a small lump of peat. Now watch how the color of the water changes. If it turns red, then the peat has increased acidity. Blue color indicates that this indicator is equal to the average. And finally, if the water turns green, then the acidity is almost neutral. It can also be determined by how the peat looks. If on its cut you notice a white stripe resembling ash, then this indicates a high acidity. How to reduce it? To do this, use slaked lime, chalk and dolomite flour in certainquantities.

As mentioned above, peat is a fertilizer that cannot be just taken and

scatter across the field. It needs to be processed first. Even before the peat is brought in bags, it is advisable to check its samples for acidity. Then it needs to be prepared by composting. Before this, the peat should be dried and ventilated by shoveling it several times. How to compost it? This is done by mixing peat with manure or feces. These substances are stacked on top of each other. In this case, a layer of manure (10 cm) and peat (40 cm) can be separately sprinkled with lime (150 g per square meter). Once every ten days, the stack is moistened with water and periodically shoveled during the summer. If you are preparing peat-fecal compost, then in order to prevent parasite eggs from starting in it, do not compact it in the first days. This is necessary in order for its temperature to rise, contributing to the death of unwanted organisms.