It is generally inexpensive and readily available at garden centers. Covering grass seed or seedlings with peat moss will not only protect the seeds from being washed or carried away, but it also
helps to prevent the seeds from drying out
and adds beneficial nutrients to the soil.
How do I apply peat moss to my lawn?
When applying peat moss to soil before seeding a lawn, spread 1 to 3 inches of peat over the soil and work it in to a depth of about 6 inches. After seeding new lawns,
apply a 1/4-inch layer of peat over the grass seeds
. If you’re laying sod, fill in the gaps between rows with peat to create more even seams.
How do you grow grass with peat moss?
- Turn the soil to a depth of 6 inches with a garden tiller. …
- Spread peat moss on top of the soil bed at about 2 inches deep. …
- Incorporate the peat moss into the loose top 6 inches of soil with a garden tiller. …
- Place starter grass fertilizer into a fertilizer spreader.
Can you grow directly in peat moss?
Unlike other organic materials such as manure compost, peat moss is
very poor in nutrients
. It also doesn’t contain any helpful microbes. So that means you can use peat moss as an amendment to the soil and other materials, but you cannot use it alone and expect the plants will grow strongly and properly.
Why is there peat moss on my lawn?
Peat moss
absorbs water like a sponge and retains moisture for long periods of time
. This is a huge benefit when you are overseeding your lawn. … Peat moss absorbs up to 20 times its dry weight in water. A layer of peat moss over grass seeds keeps the seeds moist and promotes germination.
How much peat moss should I add to my garden?
Apply peat moss in
a 2–3-inch layer
in your vegetable garden, and incorporate it into the top 12 inches of soil. For pots, containers and raised beds, use between 1/3 and 2/3 peat moss mixed with potting soil or compost.
Why is peat moss bad?
Peat moss is the partially decomposed remains of formerly living sphagnum moss from bogs. … As a soil amendment, which is what the baled product is mostly sold for, peat moss is also a poor choice. It
breaks down too fast, compressing and squeezing air out of the soil
, creating an unhealthy condition for plant roots.
Is peat moss bad for lawn?
Peat moss is great at retaining moisture and aerating your soil, but it comes at a cost. Peat moss is up to
100 times more acidic than your soil
. Applying it to your grass will increase soil acidity. … It can acidify the soil, making grass struggle, causing weeds to thrive, and killing off beneficial earthworms.
How many square feet does a bag of peat moss cover?
One cubic foot bale of peat moss covers
24 square feet
of garden at a depth of one inch. A 2.2 cubic foot bale covers 50 square feet one inch deep.
Should I mix peat moss with potting soil?
One-part peat moss and one-part potting soil
is a pretty good ratio. You can, however, add a little more or less depending on the needs of your plants and the current condition of your soil. Adding in some liquid fertilizer is also a good idea because peat doesn’t naturally contain a lot of its own nutrients.
Can I mix peat moss with potting mix?
Peat moss provides a great moisture retaining quality with good air space for healthy growing roots. … You
can use straight peat moss as your potting mix
, but be careful not to overwater. Peat moss all by itself can stay wet for a long time after watering your plants.
What can you substitute for peat moss?
- Coconut Coir. Coconut coir, also known as coco peat or coir peat, is rapidly gaining popularity and is the best-known alternative to peat moss. …
- Wood-Based Materials. …
- Compost. …
- Pine Needles. …
- Rice Hulls. …
- Leaf Mold. …
- Composted Manure.
What is the best thing to cover grass seed with?
Straw
is one of the most commonly used materials for covering newly planted grass seed. It’s a budget-friendly option, but it’s important to choose a variety relatively free of seeds that may produce weeds in your yard. Oat, wheat and barley straw are effective options.
Is peat moss a good top dressing?
Top dressing with peat is
a bad idea
because wind will blow it around and rain will harden it. — Mulch nourishes the soil as it breaks down. When well-incorporated into soil, peat can aid nutrient availability, but it contains little or no nutrients of its own. — Mulch is superior to peat moss at suppressing weeds.
When should I add peat moss to my garden?
Your flower beds can benefit by adding peat moss to the soil
before you enter the growing season
. As winter begins to turn into spring, till the soil of your flower bed and turn peat moss into the soil until it’s a mixture of about 30 percent peat moss and 70 percent garden soil.
Do tomatoes grow well in peat moss?
Benefits of Peat Moss
The
sterile environment
that peat moss provides is perfect for growing plump and tasty tomatoes, according to Epic Gardening. The sphagnum peat moss potting mix helps the seedlings to grow strong roots. … Add enough water to moisten the peat moss mix but don’t soak it.
