What is the difference between peat and black soil: description and what is the difference, what is better to choose

Experienced gardeners and gardeners prefer to grow cultivated plants on black soil, fertile soil. But peat, so outwardly similar to chernozem, is used by specialists as top dressings and fertilizers. So what is the difference between peat, useful in agriculture, and black soil, and how to properly use these natural gifts for growing fruit, vegetable and berry crops, we will examine in detail further.

What is peat

To understand how to use peat in a garden or garden plot, you need to figure out where this natural material came from and what it consists of.

Peat, by definition, refers to combustible minerals that are mined in swampy and highly humid areas in temperate and northern climatic zones.

The natural element consists of dying plant organic matter growing in a swamp. In conditions of high humidity and a cool climate, plant remains do not have time to completely rot, so layer after layer accumulates in swamp bogs without oxygen.

Such deposits are formed over centuries and millennia, accumulating minerals with combustible energy.

1. Peat from the depths of deposits is called lowland, dark brown or black, dense and heavy.
2. The upper layer of the deposits is called the top layer, contains almost no minerals and is characterized by a high content of acids. Such material is looser, colored in brownish-yellowish hues.

Before being used in agriculture, it undergoes proper processing. Due to the high acidity in its pure form, the mineral is not used.

Characteristics after processing:

• turns black;
• consistency loose, crumbly;
• moisture quickly penetrates natural material, but just as quickly evaporates.

Peat-based fertilizers and dressings contain many mineral compounds.

Interesting! The ancient Roman writer, poet and scientist, living in the 1st century AD, in his works and research defined peat as "combustible earth".

Description of chernozem

The fertile layer of soil, formed from organic plant and animal decomposition with the help of protozoa and invertebrate organisms, is referred to as black soil for a long time. Such soil contains nutrients and minerals, a neutral amount of acids and a large amount of nitrogen-containing organic matter.

Black soil characteristics:

• the top layer of soil is black, the lower deposits of chernozem are light brown;
• consistency crumbly, grainy, sometimes with small lumps;
• well hydrated and breathable;
• under the influence of the sun and in drought, cracks and crusts do not form on the surface of the black soil.

This soil is used without prior preparation for growing all types of cultivated plants.

Fact! The well-known soil scientist V. Dokuchaev described chernozem as a noble rust of the earth, without which the process of soil formation is impossible.

Main differences

To figure out how and when to use peat and black soil, you need to familiarize yourself with the differences between natural materials.

SoilMineral resourcesMethod of originDecomposition of vegetable and animal organics with the participation of protozoaDecomposition of plant organics under conditions of acute lack of oxygenDescriptionDark top layer turns to lighter shades at depth due to clay content, sticky when wetLayers of the same shade, crumbly, resembles a sponge when wetMain propertiesLow acidity, not self-ignitingCombustible mineral , leaves ash after burning, high acid contentAgricultural applicationsK as a basic, universal soil for growing all kinds of cultivated plantsConstituent unit in the manufacture of soil mixtures, for water filtration.

Characteristics	Chernozem	Peat
Destination

Important! After processing, peat acquires the color and texture of black soil, which is often used by unscrupulous sellers.

Properties

Peat contains many minerals needed to nourish infertile, heavy soil. Therefore, the mineral is used to make dressings, mulch and soil mixtures. But we must not forget that natural material is a combustible, self-igniting substance, which is still used as an energy carrier.

Chernozem soil is rich in useful and nutritious mineral and organic substances. It is used in its original form for growing any vegetable, fruit, berry, cereal crops and ornamental plants.

Visual difference

How to distinguish peat from black soil in practice:

• chernozem is heavy, peat is light;
• consistency of the soil consists of small lumps and grains, peat has a uniform structure;
• fossil fuel has many shades - from yellow to black;
• fertile soil always remains black;
• chernozem squeezed in hands leaves a feeling of greasy, peat crumbles without traces.

Important! After the combustion of peat, a small amount of ash remains. After the black soil burns out, lumps of clay remain.

Which is better to choose

The choice between a combustible substance and black soil is made based on the further purpose of natural materials. Fertile soil is chosen as the main soil for growing various crops. The mineral is used only in diluted form 1/1 for soil mixtures, dressings and mulch.

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