coco peat vs peat moss

As a gardener, you may be in the dilemma to choose the better one, coco peat vs peat moss. It can be very confusing. People use coco peat in hydroponic farming as it retains water as well as repels fungus gnats & certain illnesses. Despite its popularity, it functions similar to peat moss. Because people usually throw away coconut husks, coco peat is economically and environmentally beneficial. On the other hand, peat moss comes from peat bogs & is a typical soilless growth medium. It is a non-renewable resource and takes a long time to regenerate. Besides that, it helps soil retain water.

Differences between Coco Peat Vs Peat Moss

When it comes to the sources, coco peat vs peat moss is very clear. They come from different sources even though they look similar. Peat moss comes from peat bogs, degraded sphagnum marshes or moss. Mostly, peat moss in the US comes from Canada. On the other hand, coco peat usually has a deeper color. Majority, coco peat comes from India or Sri Lanka. In relation to cost, peat moss is the more cost-effective option. However, it requires additional supplement for your plants to grow. On the other hand, coco peat is more expensive. It comes in different forms, sizes, and weights. So, you can buy it based on your preference.

We can also compare from their pH levels. For your information, peat moss is acidic and has a pH range of 3.3 – 4.0, making it useful for plants that like acid. But, it harms plants that cannot tolerate low pH levels. Coco peat, on the other hand, has a pH range of 5.2 – 6.8 so that it is more plant-friendly. That’s why most plants adore it. Related to water, coco peat absorbs more water when wet. On the other hand, coco peat absorbs less water as it takes less time to get saturated.

Sustainability of Coco Peat Vs Peat Moss

For sustainability, we can also find differences between coco peat vs peat moss. We know that people extract peat moss at unsustainable rates. As a result, it produces a higher level of carbon dioxide due to the decomposition of mulch & other organic matters in peat bogs. On the other hand, we can define coco peat as a coco harvest product. People use water to remove the outer husks. Then, they process them into various goods. Besides that, people use coco peat in different soil additives. In other words, coco peat is more sustainable as it is always available & grows on trees.

The Advantages

Of course, either coco peat or peat moss has its own advantages. Coco peat offers good drainage and retains moisture. Even more, it is sterile & lacks microorganisms that may infect plants. On the other hand, it raises the acidity of the soil so that it benefits acid-loving plants. Besides that, it holds a lot of water. Even though it doesn’t contain nutrients, it can retain fertilizer nutrients. Therefore, plants can access them easily. After comparing coco peat vs peat moss, now you can choose the best one for your needs.

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