Peat as an essential constituent

Peat moss has been an essential constituent of growing media for several decades

Main favorable properties:

1. Low pH (practically ‘sterile” product)

2. Lack of pests, pathogens, and weed seeds

3. Easy to process

4. Stable expected physical properties

5. Slow decomposition

6. Good aeration

7. Adequate water holding capacity

Peat moss usage

Commercial peat extraction usually for horticulture, physically removes peat from the ground.

The peat should have a depth of at least 2 meters, as a bog should be able to be harvested for many years.

Before the peat can be harvested, there are about five years of preparations. A peat field is covered by water and has to be drained. A peat field is covered by water and thus has to be dewatered. In the winter, when the top layer is frozen, and machines can drive over the field, they will start making grooves in the field g with special machines.

Peat extraction

The extraction of peat is highly dependent on weather conditions, so our forecasts for peat volumes are only prognostic. There have been very bad years where the yields have dropped significantly, even by 30-40%. In such seasons there was already a shortage of peat in December and January. Many customers were denied deliveries, but more so for occasional orders.

Mire, peat land, swamp, marsh

The bog is a continental or permanent part of the earth’s surface with periodic humidity, specific vegetation, and accumulation of peat. By

geological point of view, the classification of marshes can safely be called the marshes only if it is at least 30 centimeters thick in the unsweetened position

peat layer.

Peat extraction field

The area of the turf, where the extraction took place, or the area that was prepared has been drained, and where peat humidity is from 90-96% (naturally wet peat) reduced to 40-60%. Peat extracted area (harvested overhang and landing, ditch grid, road infrastructure built) the area where peat extraction takes place, as well as the area where peat extraction takes place interrupted or completed regardless of the original land use(forest, agricultural land, or wetland)

Bog pools

Mud / Lakes- small water bodies with tight coastlines, places with difficulty in the runoff, terrain fracture sites, or areas where the different direction filtration streams. The peat sapropel or sludge accumulates on it.

Degraded raised bogs still capable of natural regeneration

High bogs or peat lands that have changed the natural hydrological regime or are partly used for the extraction of peat, but which can restore hydrological regimes and the formation of peat is expected within 30 years.

Layers are proceeding

The water drains away through the grooves in the upper layer. Once the peat field is ready for production, the top layer of four to eight centimeters will be extracted once a year.

Milling

The current most widespread method of commercial extraction is surface milling for horticultural peat. The use of vacuum harvesters reduces physical disturbance to the peat. The goal during the entire harvesting and processing process is to preserve the integrity of peat fibers. Mechanical damage can break apart sphagnum fibers, which decreases its porosity in a container and can create more dust.

Cutting

Contrary to what some do not believe, peat is cut into large bricks for harvest. This method produces sod (block) peat. Material has the advantage of better air conductivity and resistance to compression and flattening (which is undesirable for proper root development).

Harvest takes place when bogs are not frozen, usually from May through September. Milling machines are used to loosen only the top inch or two of peat; this keeps the underlying bog intact, so it is not able to erode. The top layer is allowed to dry in the sun for a few days. Abnormally rainy conditions delay the ability to harvest from a given site.