Sustainable Gardening Practices: Moving Away from Peat Moss in Potting Soil
by Michele Trucksis
Peat moss, though commonly used in potting mixes, is a non-renewable resource that takes thousands of years to form. It develops slowly in cool, wetland environments as sphagnum moss decays. In the U.S., most of the peat moss in potting soil is harvested from Canadian cold-water bogs—one of the planet’s largest carbon sinks. These bogs store around 25% of global soil carbon, more than all the world’s forests combined. When peat is harvested, it releases significant amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. In response, countries like the UK are moving to ban peat-based products to protect these critical ecosystems.
Peat moss has long been favored in gardening because of its ability to hold water like a sponge and release it slowly as plants need it. However, there are sustainable alternatives that perform just as well, if not better, without the environmental cost.
One such alternative is PittMoss, a soil-less potting mix made from recycled paper fibers. Decades of research went into developing this eco-friendly product, which is organic, sustainable, and nutrient-rich. Produced in the US, PittMoss consists of 99% recycled paper fibers, combined with organic bark, poultry manure, bovine compost inoculates, and feather meal. It is OMRI-listed for organic growing and is free of harmful substances like pathogens, weed seeds, and heavy metals. Additionally, its lower dust content makes it cleaner and easier to work with compared to traditional potting mixes.
PittMoss has a unique ability to retain water and nutrients, distributing them evenly throughout the medium, which allows plant roots to access them more efficiently. The company claims it can reduce water usage by up to two-thirds, making it an excellent option for water conservation. It works well in a variety of gardening applications, from raised beds and vegetable gardens to potted plants and seedlings.
I discovered PittMoss last year while searching for a peat-free alternative. To test its performance, I compared it against Pro-Mix MP (Mycorrhizae), an organic potting mix that contains peat moss, which we had been using for our winter sow seed planting. I planted two species—Lobelia siphilitica (great blue lobelia) and Lupinus perennis (sundial lupine)—in both the peat-based Pro-Mix and the peat-free PittMoss. After five months, the results were clear: PittMoss produced much more robust plants than the traditional peat-based mix. I had hoped that the peat-free medium would perform just as well as the peat-containing one, but to my surprise, it outperformed it. Of course, testing only two species is a limited trial, and there may be plants that respond better to peat. However, given peat’s environmental impact, I’m committed to going peat-free in my gardening. You can decide for yourself, but the choice is clear for me.
Michele Trucksis is a Massachusetts home gardener with a strong interest in native plants, wildlife, and maintaining ecological stability. My background as a scientist and physician shaped my approach to gardening, but it was my family heritage that first sparked my passion: I grew up in Ohio, where my grandfather, an Italian immigrant and avid gardener, cultivated plants and trees he loved from home, including fig trees and tobacco. My mother, inheriting his green thumb, tended a large vegetable and flower garden. With this legacy, gardening became my way to find balance amid a busy life.
After retiring from full-time work in 2021, I pursued certification in the Massachusetts Master Gardener Program, becoming a certified Master Gardener the following year. I have always been a nature lover, and my early experiences observing birds and exploring local woods with my mother fostered my dedication to outdoor activities and native plant gardening. Committed to environmental stewardship, I incorporate sustainable gardening practices into my work, promoting eco-friendly methods that support biodiversity and resilience.
