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Peatmoss


Question
I will be core aerating and top dressing the lawn with good ole Leaf compost next week and overseeding with JOnathan Greens BlackBeauty,  I will also be installing an irrigation system as well, I did not realize that Peatmoss will acidfy the soil as I think MD soil is already acid enough. Basically I was relying on what I read on Peatmoss.com I could not find any negetive publicity on the use of peatmoss and was only going to use that stuff because it is very easy to put down and its moisture retention abilities. My lawn is only 1400 sqft.
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Followup To

Question -
Hello, I was wondering if adding peatmoss to my organic lawn care routine a worth while benefit to the lawn? I Live in the dreadful Transition zone, south of Baltimore, Md.

Thanks, Joseph.

Answer -
Joseph, Peatmoss is better than nothing - but it will slightly acidify the soil.  Are you ready to correct that?  Pelletized lime going down with the Peatmoss?

Any reason you are picking Peatmoss?  You have inherited a garage full of the stuff?  There's a big sale at Lowe's this week and you own a truck?  Your Cooperative Extension Service told you the soil in your lawn is impossibly alkaline and you must incorporate Peatmoss asap?  This is not a cheap amendment.  How much are you going to use?

Also, what do you mean by "adding"?  Are you going to be Rototilling, or aerating the lawn and raking it across the top?

Peatmoss properties and some benefits for the lawn are posted by The Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association
(www.peatmoss.com/pm-lawn.php).  It is probably a first rate plan - but I would like to know more about your situation before endorsing it for all things grassy.

Answer
Peatmoss is really the kind of thing you want to add when you have a problem.  As a soil amendment, it enhances the ability of the soil to retain nutrients.  If your soil is alkaline, Peatmoss will correct it, gently.  Sandy soil?  peatmoss will retain moisture.  Basically, if you have flaws, Peatmoss will effectively erase those.  

But on its own, Peatmoss is close to worthless, with no nutritional value.  You are already adding compost.  Do you need to add Peatmoss, too?

The pH contribution of any Peatmoss you add will probably be negligible if you are already working with a low pH soil.  Have you mixed in some pelletized lime to slowly turn that soil into a grass-friendly growing medium?

I would go ahead and add the Peatmoss.  If the soil is clay, it will be a worthwhile contribution.  But do yourself a favor and get the soil tested in a month to see what you have finally cooked up.  And you can adjust the pH up inch by inch.  Send a postcard when you're done.

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