Before peat moss, often called Sphagnum moss, entered the horticultural scene in the 1960s, commercial growers and homeowners would formulate their own media for plant propagation. This process of trial and error was attempted because many native soils, or combinations of soil and sand, were heavy and had little capacity to retain air, oxygen, and nutrients. Furthermore, they were habitually ridden with weeds or pathogens and didn’t drain well.
The advent of soil-free media has greatly reduced these obstacles and is the reason it has virtually become standard for container plants and many soil amendments. Peat moss is now a prime ingredient of many soil-free composts, above-ground soils, and mulch.
Cindy Murray is a biologist, elementary tutor, and Master Gardener. Gardening questions can be sent to [email protected] or submitted to the Master Gardener Hotline: 928-773-6115.
BEACON UU SUNDAY SERVICE: "Who Are We Remembering? And Why?" May 25 â€� Beacon Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 510 N. Leroux St., Flagstaff. (928) 779-4492. 10-11 a.m., ALL ARE WELCOME! You… Read moreFlagstaff Religion News for May 24, 2025
Welcome to the pea family, commonly called the legume family, or as horticulturalist Catherine Kleier would say, the fabulous Fabaceae family! I’d be willing to bet that everyone reading this … Read moreGardening Etcetera: The fabulous Fabaceae family
