Peat moss is a soil amendment made up of decomposed organic material salvaged from peat bogs. It is a popular ingredient in potting mixes and garden soil because it has many benefits for improving soil quality. Here are some of the uses of peat moss:

• Soil amendment: Peat moss is added to soil to lighten, aerate, and help retain moisture. It is especially useful for acid-loving plants, such as blueberries and camellias, because it has an acid pH.

• Potting mix: Peat moss is a common ingredient in potting mixes because it is sterile, moisture-retentive, and doesnt compact. It is often mixed with other ingredients to make up between one-third to two-thirds of the total volume of the mix.

• Seed starting: Peat moss is a favorite for seed starting because it is sterile and doesnt have any bacteria, fungus, or weed seeds. It is also moisture-retentive, which helps seeds germinate.

• Hydroponic growing media: Mounds of peat moss can even serve as hydroponic growing media.

Peat moss has many benefits for improving soil quality, such as absorbing and retaining water, preventing soil compaction, and holding soil nutrients. However, there are also concerns about the environmental impact of harvesting peat moss from peat bogs, which are non-renewable resources.