Peat soil, an acidic organic substrate

What to do with peat soil? Find tips on what to Planting according to soil type on the blog.

Peat soil is derived from decomposed organic matter known as peat. It's an acidic substrate native to humid, oxygen-poor environments.

Peat is capable of retaining moisture. It retains water in winter and releases it in summer. Although peat soil is rich in organic matter, it contains few nutrients.

As with siliceous earth, it needs to be enriched with lime before it can be cultivated.

The color of peat soil varies according to its age:

- blond peat is the youngest. It has a fibrous texture.
- brown peat can be up to 5,000 years old;
- black peat is the oldest. It's also the richest.

To distinguish peat soil from humus soil soil, observe its consistency. The former is spongy, the latter light.