{"id":10275,"date":"2020-12-09T14:13:37","date_gmt":"2020-12-09T19:13:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gardender.com\/?p=10275"},"modified":"2021-05-02T16:55:39","modified_gmt":"2021-05-02T20:55:39","slug":"11-alternatives-to-peat-in-the-soil","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gardender.com\/11-alternatives-to-peat-in-the-soil\/","title":{"rendered":"11 Alternatives To Peat In The Soil"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Peat is contained in almost all garden soils. We show which environmentally friendly alternatives are available to replace peat and give tips for peat-free gardening. Peat replacement is an important topic in climate protection. We explain which properties have made peat in substrates so successful and show good alternatives.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_is_peat_in_the_garden_soil\"><\/span>Why is peat in the garden soil?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_65 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-662b853f930fd\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-662b853f930fd\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/gardender.com\/11-alternatives-to-peat-in-the-soil\/#Why_is_peat_in_the_garden_soil\" title=\"Why is peat in the garden soil?\">Why is peat in the garden soil?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/gardender.com\/11-alternatives-to-peat-in-the-soil\/#Alternatives_to_peat\" title=\"Alternatives to peat\">Alternatives to peat<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/gardender.com\/11-alternatives-to-peat-in-the-soil\/#Wood_fiber_wood_chippings\" title=\"Wood fiber, wood chippings\">Wood fiber, wood chippings<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/gardender.com\/11-alternatives-to-peat-in-the-soil\/#Compost\" title=\"Compost\">Compost<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/gardender.com\/11-alternatives-to-peat-in-the-soil\/#Sand\" title=\"Sand\">Sand<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/gardender.com\/11-alternatives-to-peat-in-the-soil\/#Bentonite\" title=\"Bentonite\">Bentonite<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/gardender.com\/11-alternatives-to-peat-in-the-soil\/#Expanded_clay\" title=\"Expanded clay\">Expanded clay<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/gardender.com\/11-alternatives-to-peat-in-the-soil\/#Coconut_materials_coconut_pulp_coconut_fiber_coconut_chips\" title=\"Coconut materials: coconut pulp, coconut fiber, coconut chips\">Coconut materials: coconut pulp, coconut fiber, coconut chips<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/gardender.com\/11-alternatives-to-peat-in-the-soil\/#Rice_husksrice_husks\" title=\"Rice husks\/rice husks\">Rice husks\/rice husks<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/gardender.com\/11-alternatives-to-peat-in-the-soil\/#Perlite\" title=\"Perlite\">Perlite<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/gardender.com\/11-alternatives-to-peat-in-the-soil\/#Pine_Bark\" title=\"Pine Bark\">Pine Bark<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/gardender.com\/11-alternatives-to-peat-in-the-soil\/#Xylitol\" title=\"Xylitol\">Xylitol<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p>Peat is a good base for garden potting soil. This is because it stores water well without the roots suffering from lack of air and thus starting to rot. In addition, its pH value and nutrient content can be flexibly adjusted depending on the plant to be cultivated. Last but not least, it is light and easy to transport when dry.<\/p>\n<p>But unfortunately, peat also has disadvantages: Peat is a finite resource, and its extraction and uses release CO2, which should actually remain stored in the soil. Further degradation of peat prevents former moors from being rewetted and resuming their work as a CO2 reservoir.<\/p>\n<p>Because of its advantages and disadvantages, both professionals and hobby gardeners should use peat as a substitute within the bounds of their possibilities.<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10277\" src=\"https:\/\/gardender.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/peat-pots.jpg\" alt=\"peat pots\" width=\"750\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gardender.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/peat-pots.jpg 750w, https:\/\/gardender.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/peat-pots-300x180.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Alternatives_to_peat\"><\/span>Alternatives to peat<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Environmental protection is close to the heart of every garden lover. But of course, our green thumb should not have to suffer from it. Alternatives to peaty soil are mixtures of different materials that make gardening without peat possible. We would like to introduce you to common peat substitutes.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Wood_fiber_wood_chippings\"><\/span>Wood fiber, wood chippings<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Both are made from untreated wood scraps. They provide a loose, airy substrate, but store hardly any water. Wood fiber has little structural stability. Wood chippings are coarser and therefore have little water storage capacity, but <a href=\"https:\/\/gardender.com\/beautyberry\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">good drainage<\/a> properties. Wood materials cannot store nutrients. Apart from organic lawn soil.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Compost\"><\/span>Compost<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Compost has the advantage that it has a high pH-value and hardly sags together. Compost can effectively store and release nutrients and water, which is why it is contained in all organic soils. Quality assured substrate compost is free from plant pathogens and weeds.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sand\"><\/span>Sand<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Sand can act as a source of iron in substrates, but otherwise hardly stores any nutrients. It has a high weight, which is why mixtures with sand are particularly suitable for buckets that cannot be blown away so quickly. Mixed in sufficient quantities, it ensures good water drainage and adequate root aeration, for example in organic lawn soil.<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10278\" src=\"https:\/\/gardender.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/sand.jpg\" alt=\"sand\" width=\"750\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gardender.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/sand.jpg 750w, https:\/\/gardender.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/sand-300x180.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bentonite\"><\/span>Bentonite<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Bentonite is a natural clay mixture of various clay minerals. These can swell due to water absorption. Used in substrates, they, therefore, increase water storage enormously. The clay minerals can absorb nutrients, store them, and release them again when required.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Expanded_clay\"><\/span>Expanded clay<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Expanded clay is produced by the strong heating of clays. Compared to the raw material, expanded clay allows very low water and nutrient storage. When added in sufficiently large quantities, expanded clay improves water permeability and thus root aeration, which is beneficial to organic flowering plant soil.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Coconut_materials_coconut_pulp_coconut_fiber_coconut_chips\"><\/span>Coconut materials: coconut pulp, coconut fiber, coconut chips<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Coconut pulp is the abrasion of coconut shells. Coconut fibers are completely detached from the coconut and cut into small pieces. Coconut chips are the same fibers but in cube form. All three are structurally stable and store hardly any nutrients. Coconut fibers and chips hold less water but aerate the substrate well.<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10279\" src=\"https:\/\/gardender.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/coconut-fibers.jpg\" alt=\"coconut fibers\" width=\"750\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gardender.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/coconut-fibers.jpg 750w, https:\/\/gardender.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/coconut-fibers-300x180.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Rice_husksrice_husks\"><\/span>Rice husks\/rice husks<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Rice husks are produced when threshing rice. Rice husks are very light and provide a loose, air-permeable substrate. They cannot store large amounts of water or nutrients.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Perlite\"><\/span>Perlite<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Perlite is a volcanic glass that expands and becomes porous under high heat. It is pH-neutral and does not retain any nutrients. It stores small amounts of water, but when mixed insufficiently, it loosens up substrates so that the roots are well aerated.<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10280\" src=\"https:\/\/gardender.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/earth-with-pearlite.jpg\" alt=\"earth-with pearlite\" width=\"750\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gardender.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/earth-with-pearlite.jpg 750w, https:\/\/gardender.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/earth-with-pearlite-300x180.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pine_Bark\"><\/span>Pine Bark<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Pine bark is obtained from the Mediterranean pine. It is structurally stable and ensures good aeration in the substrate. It contains hardly any nutrients and can be easily adapted to the needs of each plant with fertilizer and lime.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Xylitol\"><\/span>Xylitol<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Xylitol is a precursor of lignite, i.e. incomplete incoherent plant parts. It is a by-product of lignite mining. It is very structurally stable and provides an airy substrate with good water storage. In addition to the alternatives mentioned, bark humus, brick breakage, and vermiculite are also used, for example, in peat-free and peat-reduced potting soils.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Peat is contained in almost all garden soils. We show which environmentally friendly alternatives are available to replace peat and give tips for peat-free gardening. Peat replacement is an important topic in climate protection. We explain which properties have made peat in substrates so successful and show good alternatives. Why is peat in the garden&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":10276,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[65],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gardender.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10275"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gardender.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gardender.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardender.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardender.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10275"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gardender.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10275\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardender.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10276"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gardender.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10275"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardender.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10275"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardender.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10275"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}