In the aerated layer of the swamp, the remains of dead plants gradually accumulate. They are gemified and mineralized. The roots of dead plants under anaerobic conditions are preserved in this environment. Thus, a layer of peat is gradually formed. The rate of organic decomposition under such conditions depends on the type of plants trapped in the swamp. Its upper aerated layer is also called the “peat horizon”, since it is in it that new layers of this substance are formed. The composition of the resulting material includes chemicals such as carbon, oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen. They get it most often in these very swamps. They are also called peat bogs. Their areas are sometimes truly huge.
Peat as a fertilizer can be very effective. However if his
just scatter across the field, then it will not give anything. In addition, improper use of this tool will only harm plants, since it will increase the
acidity of the soil and enrich it with harmful organisms. In addition, it is important to consider that peat as a fertilizer does not give the soil nutrients, but only improves its structure, making it more loose. It partially performs the role of an antiseptic. Therefore, if on your site the soil contains humus and has the optimal composition so that vegetables and fruits grow on it, then this remedy will not give anything. But if the soil is sandy or lacks organic matter, then you should use peat as a fertilizer for your site.
Important indicators of the quality of this material are the degree of decomposition and the ash content after incineration. If the first one is above forty percent, then
such peat is not suitable as greenhouse soil. Also, its important indicator is how saturated it is with beneficial substances. The more of them, the lower the acidity, the more suitable peat as a fertilizer. How to determine its pH? There are special indicators for this. But what if the problem for you is to get them? You can then use a different method. In a glass of clear glass, put a few leaves of cherry or black currant and pour boiling water. After the liquid has cooled, throw a small lump of peat there. Now watch how the
color of the water changes
. If it turns red, then peat
acidity is increased. Blue color indicates that this indicator is equal to the average. And finally, if the water turned green, then the acidity is almost neutral. It can also be determined by how peat looks. If on its slice you notice a strip of white, reminiscent of ash, then this indicates a high acidity. How to reduce it? To do this, use slaked lime, chalk and
dolomite flour in certain quantities.
As mentioned above, peat is a fertilizer that can not be just taken and
scatter across the field. First you need to process it. Even before they bring peat in bags, it is advisable to check its samples for acidity. Then it needs to be prepared by composting. Before this, peat should be dried and ventilated by shoveling it several times. How to compost it? This is done by mixing peat with manure or feces. These substances are stacked on top of each other. In this case, a layer of manure (10 cm) and peat (40 cm) can be individually sprinkled with lime (150 g per square meter). Once every ten days, the stack is moistened with water and periodically shovel during the summer. If you are preparing peat-fecal compost, then, so that parasite eggs do not wound in it, do not condense it in the first days. This is necessary so that its temperature rises, contributing to the death of unwanted organisms.