W hy does gardening have to inflict so much guilt?
I’m talking about sphagnum peat moss, a common soil additive made from decomposing organic material that accumulates in bogs.
Chances are you’ve got a bag of garden mix made with sphagnum peat moss in your shed, and for good reason.
Sphagnum peat moss is an organic additive long prized in the horticulture world. Its cellular structure is made up of spongelike cavities that hold air, water and nutrients.
It’s more available, more convenient and generally less expensive than alternatives such as wood chips and bio solids.
Peat moss grows worldwide, but Canada, with 260 million acres of it, is the major producer in North America, according to Sun Gro Horticulture, a leading maker of horticulture growing media in Canada.
So what’s the problem? We’re using sphagnum peat moss faster than we can replace it, and scientists say the loss of peat lands will do irreparable damage. Peat bogs are important natural habitats that support many species of plants, birds and insects.
Scientists think peat moss extraction contributes to global warming.
Harvesters argue peat moss is a renewable resource that is accumulating faster than it can be removed.
Peat producers in Canada have worked closely with the government to establish guidelines that mitigate the effects of harvesting.
Many scientists say the regeneration of a peat bog isn’t as easy or fast as harvesters say it is.
The best succinct discussion of the issues I’ve found is the Royal Horticultural Society’s April 2004 policy statement on peat and the gardener. You can find it online at www.rhs.org.uk.
What are the alternatives? Coir-based products seem the most promising for propagation purposes. Coir is a fibrous material from coconut husks. An Ontario-based company plans to a launch a line of products made from the stuff, including pots, pellets, greenhouse kits and transplant kits.
Most Americans aren’t likely to consider alternatives until they’re as cheap, easy-to-find and convenient to use as peat moss products.
Thanks for the worm poop. I’m probably the only person who gets worm poop delivered to her office. Last week in my blog, I wrote about a company touting its plant foods and fertilizers made from worm castings, which is what worm poop is called in polite conversation, and packaged in used soda bottles.
They sent me a box of samples, and I asked for one experienced local gardener to take this stuff home, try it and report back.
Just send me an e-mail. You can read more about the company in my blog at www.heraldnet.com.
Nursery containers cluttering your yard? An environmental nonprofit wants to help.
The group Re Sources, an environmental nonprofit, is organizing a seven-county agriculture recycling program.
You drop off the black plastic containers cluttering the yard.
They also take plastic baling twine and empty hay bale bags.
Re Sources has them recycled into tool handles, new pots and even plastic railroad ties manufactured in Texas, said Lisa Friend, a coordinator of the project.
Dropping off your containers is free, but they need to be reasonably clean and dry. Drop them off between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. June 9 at the Livestock Auction Barn, 15714 Smokey Point Blvd., Marysville, or between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. June 10 at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds parking lot, 14405 179th Ave. SE, Monroe.
If you operate a business that needs to get rid of large quantities of greenhouse plastic, drip tape or other plastics, call the Re Sources program to see if you qualify for on-site collection.
Re Sources runs a recycling hotline: 800-760-8434.
Reporter Debra Smith: 425-339-3197 or dsmith@ heraldnet.com.
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