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Jill--Funny that it today's e-Newsletter from Carroll Gardens-- Allan Summers had a question from someone on peat Moss...
Here is his reply---Nothing surprising...we kind of know this already...don't we?
*************************************************** Question: What is the difference between compost and peat moss?
Answer:
Compost is made from recently decomposed vegetation. The process takes about a year. You can make your own or you can buy it. Peat moss is dug from the earth and is vegetation that decomposed at least tens of thousands of years ago, going back to the times of the dinosaurs. Peat moss is a non-renewable resource; when all of it has been dug from the peat moss bogs, there will be no more. Thus it should be used somewhat sparingly and only where appropriate.
Compost will continue to decompose in your garden and thereby enrich the soil. Peat moss will decompose very slowly in your garden and is more useful as a soil-lightener than as a soil-enricher. After a few years, compost will have completely decomposed and will have changed the soil structure very little. Peat moss is particularly useful when planting finely-rooted, acid-loving plants, such as Heaths, Heathers, Azaleas, Mountain Laurels, Rhododendrons, and Pieris (Andromeda, all of which have roots that must breathe).
I think he makes a good point about using peat moss "somewhat sparingly and only where appropriate." Since the coir is working so well for me, I intend to at least cut back on my use of peat moss. I got some bulk container mix last year at a local nursery that seems to contain sand, compost, leaf mold, etc... worked great for potting up stuff to overwinter outside, and I don't think it had peat moss in it, either.
