Resulting from an extremely slow process of accumulation, compaction and decomposition of plants which can last between 1000 and 7000 years, peat comes from peatlands, natural ecosystems very rich in biodiversity, unfortunately victims of overexploitation.
There are three types of peat, classified according to the degree of decomposition: blond peat, the most recent;
brown peat;
and black peat, the oldest, particularly rich in organic and mineral particles.
What is the role of peat in the garden?
The benefits of peat are numerous and the use of this fossil plant material has long been recommended to
lighten heavy soils
or enrich the earth with humus.
Peat is also known for its water retention capacity and high porosity.
Where to find peat in nature?
Peat bogs, these humid and acidic environments where plant debris decomposes very slowly, are found a lot in Ireland, Quebec, and even in Sweden and the Baltic countries.
In France, their presence is located in
Auvergne
or even in Brittany.
But in Europe, since the Second World War, there are far fewer peat bogs than before.
Also read: 10 natural fertilizers to strengthen your plants
Why is it important to preserve peat?
It would take around a century to obtain 5 cm of peat…!
It is an understatement to say that this natural material is almost
non-renewable
.
However, the benefits of peatlands are significant.
These ecosystems play an essential role in storing carbon, responsible for global warming.
Logically, conversely, their exploitation and degradation are responsible for the emission of significant quantities of greenhouse gases.
The peatlands are also home to rare and protected fauna and flora: common frogs, dragonflies, butterflies but also carnivorous plants such as sundews.
The use of peat involves the destruction of very fragile ecosystems.
What are the alternatives to peat in the garden?
It is important to be aware of the value and rarity of peat, a natural resource that is too widely exploited, and to opt for alternatives when possible:
homemade compost;
a mixture of topsoil and coconut fiber;
a mixture of topsoil and wood fiber compost;
a mixture of topsoil and substrates based on mineral materials such as perlite, or pozzolan (lava stone).