First off a series of ditches are dug around the peatlands to allow the water to drain. A main drainage ditch is dug around the entire perimeter; shallower ditches are dug parallel to one another to reduce the water content in the peat to about 85%.
Surface vegetation is removed to expose the peat. This living sphagnum moss is collected and used to either restore former peat harvesting areas or to make liners for hanging baskets.
- Harvest fields are leveled and then slightly crowned to encourage drainage of the surface runoff.
- Surface layer of peat is milled and harrowed to loosen it and accelerate the drying process.
- When the surface layer reaches about 50% moisture it is harvested using large vacuum harvesters.