Lowland peat: acidity and application, differences from riding and which is better

Peat is a sedimentary rock that has been used since ancient times as a valuable organic fertilizer and fuel. It is able to improve the condition of the soil on the site, saturate the soil with humus and mineral elements, improve the air and water permeability of the fertile layer. There are several varieties of fertilizer, the features of lowland peat will be discussed later.

Description of high peat

This is a fertilizer obtained by rotting the remains of swamp vegetation, moss, needles. Formed in conditions of high humidity and oxygen deficiency. High-moor peat is called sphagnum.Loose structure, large air and moisture capacity, excellent filtering ability allow it to be used as a mulch to lighten heavy clay soil.

Mulching the beds provides additional heating, retains moisture, protecting the root system of plants from drying out, increases the moisture and air permeability of the earth.

High peat has a high acidity, so it is used on alkaline soils to make the soil neutral and increase its fertility. The substance has a brown tint, a fibrous structure, it has few mineral and organic substances, compared with other varieties. Therefore, it slowly decomposes, retaining its properties for a long time. If necessary, use on acidic soils is applied together with ash or dolomite flour. The acidity of the soil on the site is checked with litmus strips.

Seldom used as a stand-alone fertilizer. It is used with organic, mineral complexes.The horse variety is easily pressed into briquettes, does not lose properties for a long time, and is conveniently transported. Used as an insulating and filtering material.

Specificity of the lowlands

Feature of lowland peat is that it is formed in swamps at great depths. Plants decompose under the influence of groundwater with a minimum amount of oxygen. There are 3 degrees of decomposition: weak, medium and strong. A variety with a high degree of decomposition is the most nutritious for beds. The fertilizer is rich in organic matter (up to 70%), outwardly similar to black soil. It is used to improve the composition of any type of land on the site, except for black soil.

Important: lowland peat is not suitable for long-term storage, it quickly oxidizes under the influence of oxygen. In a compressed form, it does not pass air well. This type of fertilizer has low acidity compared to the riding type.

Sphagnum peat is used on the surface of the soil (for example, for mulching beds), the lowland variety is brought in for digging to a depth of 25 centimeters. Mixing with the soil, the lowland variety improves the quality of the earth, saturates it with humus and trace elements (potassium, nitrogen). The use of peat on the site allows you to clean the soil and water from pathogens.

It is suitable for use in greenhouses, greenhouses, open ground. It will not be useful in areas rich in organic matter; it is not applied on chernozem soils. Great for use in clay areas, enrich sandy soil.

What is the difference between high-moor peat and lowland peat

There is a significant difference between the two varieties of sedimentary rocks. Often they are even mined in different places. Therefore, fertilizer is used for different purposes:

1. When introducing a riding variety into acidic soil, neutralization of the soil is necessary. To do this, lime is mixed with fertilizer. It is not added to lowland peat.
2. The lowland type is richer in nutrients, organics, minerals.
3. Sphagnum peat keeps better, decomposes slower, lowland peat should be used 5-10 days after purchase, high peat can be stored for up to a year.
4. The riding type is used on the surface of the earth, the lowland type is used for digging, to nourish the soil from the inside.
5. Deacidified (neutralized with lime) riding type is used to create a nutrient substrate for growing lettuce, indoor flowers, used in greenhouses and to “lighten” open ground.

Incorrect application of fertilizer can damage the site. With a significant content of peat in the soil, additional watering is necessary, a lack of moisture leads to clodding of the earth, its air permeability decreases, plants wither and die.

Before fertilizing the site, it is necessary to check the acidity of the earth in different places, the type of soil. Fertilizer is applied, taking into account the differences between upland and lowland type.

The substance is applied every 2-3 years, on heavy clay soil it can be applied every 1-2 years. Sedimentary rock can be used when growing seedlings, indoor flowers, vegetables in greenhouses or open ground. Use tablets with a mixture of fertilizers, cups for seedlings.

Any type of fertilizer can bring benefits to the site. Do not overdo it with its quantity or bring the soil to exhaustion. Then the beds will surely delight you with an excellent harvest.

Recommended