Dear Master Gardener: What’s a good replacement product for peat when I make or purchase potting mixes? Why shouldn’t we use peat products anymore? Are there any peat bogs in Minnesota? Answer: ...

For many gardeners, peat moss is a trusted soil helper. It is often marketed as one of the best soil amendments and is frequently used in DIY soil mixes. It improves soil water-holding capacity, ...

Q: I am having a hard time finding compost to use. Will a peat moss that a local nursery sells work like compost? A: No, it won’t. When compost decomposes it does two things: It keeps the soil open, ...

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It has been a joy to receive all your reader feedback and questions. I recently received this email from Ruth in Mentor: “In your recent discussion about how best to fill your ...

Q. What are the best soil amendments to improve soils for planting vegetables and landscape plants? A. It is always difficult to name the best items because it does depend on soil types, the size of a ...

An old moss plant asked a new moss plant how he likes living in the bog. “I’m lichen it so far,” was the response. As a young gardener, I remember my mom buying large bales of peat moss, sold as ...

Peat, the ingredient that makes bagged soil light and spongy, comes from wetlands. Often labeled as sphagnum moss or peat moss, it became popular in the 1950s because of its versatility. It can ...

The arrival of our traditional frost-free growing season means lots of gardeners will be filling their pots and gardens with summer flowers the next few weeks – along with millions of bags and bales ...

Q: Can you please tell me what is the difference between peat moss and mulch? Both are advertised on the packaging to do the same thing: hold moisture, add nutrients to the soil and it's good for the ...