How to deoxidize peat at home: instructions and how to apply

A plentiful and high-quality harvest is the dream of every gardener. Various fertilizers will help to achieve it. To get safe fruits, you can use peat. This top dressing has a number of advantages and is versatile. At the same time, the question sometimes arises of how to deoxidize peat at home. There are several basic methods for reducing acidity parameters.

What is sour peat

Acid peat is an indispensable top dressing that helps to grow many flower crops and vegetables. The substance includes organic components, minerals and water.

This remedy is formed as a result of the decomposition and humus of natural raw materials - plants, moss and leaves. The formation of a peat substrate is possible only under conditions of high humidity and lack of oxygen. It is mined mainly in swamps and floodplains. The most valuable is the material that is received from June to October.

Peat increases soil permeability to water and air. It contains many components that activate the growth of crops. These include nitrogen, potassium, iron, acids. The mass easily absorbs nitrates and pesticides that are present in the soil, and also copes with fungi. In the cool season, the substance protects the root system of crops from frostbite.

Peat substrate comes in different colors. Its shade is determined by the period of formation and climate. Average pH values are 3.5-5.5.

At the same time, you should not add too much peat to the soil. If the land is quite fertile, the substance will not give the desired effect. Before making peat, it is necessary to evaluate the acidity parameters. Do it yourself using vinegar or litmus paper.

To avoid harm to plants, it is recommended to make peat compost with your own hands. To obtain useful plant nutrition, it is not enough to take peat and combine it with the soil. It takes approximately 2 years for the fertilizer to form.

Views

There are the following types of peat:

1. Horse - also called sphagnum. The substance is usually formed at higher elevations, due to the decomposition of various herbs.This happens in the presence of oxygen. The basis of the composition is humus. The substance is usually used for greenhouse seedlings and is part of the finished formulations for home crops. Much less often it is used as bedding for animals. This composition is considered the most acidic.
2. Transitional - its acidity is 4.5-5.5 units. The mass contains few acid s alts, but contains many valuable elements. Such peat is considered slightly acidic and is used to increase yields.
3. Lowland - has a dark color and almost does not let air through. Almost two-thirds of the mass consists of organic elements. It is mined from river floodplains and large ravines. The formation of a peat substrate is carried out due to the decomposition of ferns, birches, willows and other plants with oxygen deficiency. The substance is used to improve the quality characteristics of the soil. But when interacting with the soil, it loses its characteristics. After spilling onto the ground, this type of peat mixture must be immediately buried.It has almost neutral acidity.

How to deoxidize peat at home?

To neutralize the acidity of high-moor peat, it is recommended to gradually introduce crushed chalk, dolomite and limestone flour into the composition. All components must be thoroughly mixed and moistened. After 1 week, you need to check the acidity parameters using a water extract.

Application

The composition is used to saturate the soil with humus and improve its mechanical parameters. It can also be used for growing seedlings and as a covering material when mulching the soil. At the same time, farmers do not recommend using high-moor peat for structuring fertile soils.

Deacidification of peat mass can be carried out in different ways. Most often, chalk, limestone and dolomite flour are used for this purpose.

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