Peat moss is usually found in bogs like swampy and waterlogged lands in the northern hemisphere. It takes a long time to form. It retains water and thus is a helpful agent for plant growth. It is clean, sterile, acidic and non-compact.

Peat moss has important characteristics that make it incredibly useful. Some of its uses are listed below.

o   Peat moss is an ingredient of potting soil. Potting soil is a mixture of organic matter like peat moss, coconut coir, compost, per lite and sometimes even sand. It helps in water retention, aeration and drainage.

o   It can be used in amending soil. If peat moss is added to dry soil, it increases its absorption. It enhances the drainage capability and reduces the compaction in clay soil. If a soil is alkaline, it can be reduced to neutral by the addition of peat moss.

o   It is used to germinate seeds. Damping-off is reduced by the sterile nature of peat moss.

o   It is also popular in hydroponic because its sterile, high cation exchange capacity, water retention and draining ability.

o   It comes in handy when plants are to be transplanted. When a tree has to be moved to another location, it cannot be ensured that the soil already present there is ideal for plant growth. So, peat moss will aid healthy plant growth when you re-plant a tree.

o   A compost pile can be build so the plants can be fertilized. Peat decomposes more slowly than other organic matter. It guarantees nutrient content in the soil for a long time.

o   Adding peat moss can overcome the strong odour in your compost pile.

o   It improves soil texture by breaking down.

o   The qualities of peat moss make it very suitable for vegetable gardens since those have extremes of wet and dry. So, peat moss counters the negative impact of it on the growth and production of vegetables.

o   Dried peat moss can be used for surgical dressings. It is also used in diapers and bedding.

o   Shippers who transport live aquatic animals use it as a seedbed cover.

Peat moss’s strong qualities have made it a significant part of the horticulture industry over the years. It’s ideal to apply a least 1 to 3 inches which should be worked to around 6 inches deep. It is proven to increase soil moisture, acidity and porosity.

What Exactly Is Topsoil?

Topsoil is the top portion of the soil consisting of minerals, organic matter and microorganisms. It can range from a few inches deep in some areas to a few feet deep in the Corn Belt. Topsoil has accumulated over millennia, but erosion is a serious problem. Erosion can deplete topsoil quickly, which is why it is important to cover bare soil with mulch or a ground cover plant.

What's in Topsoil?

Topsoil is made up of sand, clay and silt. The proportions vary. An ideal topsoil, called loam, is soft and crumbly and has roughly equal parts sand, clay and silt (a fine, dust-like sediment of rock and mineral particles). However, many gardeners struggle with less-than-ideal topsoil that tilts towards heavy clay (slow draining and less oxygen available to plant roots) or sand (fast draining but less able to hold moisture and nutrients). Surprisingly, compost can improve clay and sandy soils.

Topsoil vs. Dirt

Topsoil is for growing things. Dirt is for filling, which is why it's often called fill dirt. Some people erroneously use "dirt" interchangeably with "soil."

Topsoil vs. Garden Soil

Available in bags at your favorite nursery or big box store, garden soil is a topsoil that's been screened and amended with compost. It's too heavy for use in pots, but it's well-suited for garden beds and lawns ready to be reseeded.

Topsoil vs. Potting Soil

Topsoil is used for planting in the garden, potting soil (also called potting mix) is used in containers. It is a lightweight, soil-less mixture of peat moss and perlite. Some mixes also contain wetting agents to help the peat moss absorb moisture, as well as slow-release fertilizer and moisture-holding crystals.

Potting Soil vs. Raised-Bed Soil

With the popularity of raised-bed gardening, topsoil supplier have introduced raised-bed soil. It is lighter than topsoil but heavier than potting soil/potting mix and may contain compost and wood fines (small pieces of wood that are already composted).

How Can I Improve Topsoil?

Amend topsoil regularly by digging compost into the top six or eight inches. Compost topsoil supplier nutrients and beneficial microorganisms to create a "living soil" that is better for plant growth and health. Sound like too much work? Then start mulching with shredded leaves. They will be food for earthworms, who will aerate the soil with their tunneling and add to its fertility with their castings (waste).

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