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#1
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Shredding & blowing peat moss on lawn?
I see two significant advantages to using peat as described -- it reduces
the frequency of waterings that are needed and surrounds the seeds and provides them with a constant level of humidity. It sounds like a good idea to me. And you could have had the same results with less water if you didn't have to provide enough water to both keep the peat hydrated and have enough left over for the seeds to germinate. You wasted money on the peat, and then you wasted money by having to water more. Unless you mix the peat into the soil, there is zero advantage to using it. In fact, if you just spread it on top, it's a waste. A waste of peat. A waste of water. And a waste of effort. The peat has no nutriative value, and if it's not mixed in the soil, it does nothing to help the soil at all. -- Warren H. |
#2
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Shredding & blowing peat moss on lawn?
Question: In 30+ years of gardening, I've have never seen any advice
indicating that peat moss did NOT need to be mixed into soil. Never. Not once, and this includes gardening veterans like James Crockett, Alan Lacy, Henry Mitchell, Fred McGourty, Russell Page, Christopher Lloyd, etc. They were gardening for 30-50 years before I even began. None of them suggest that it's a good idea to just sprinkle peat moss on top of soil. What evidence do you have that suddenly makes this a good idea? "Andrew Ostrander" wrote in message ... I see two significant advantages to using peat as described -- it reduces the frequency of waterings that are needed and surrounds the seeds and provides them with a constant level of humidity. It sounds like a good idea to me. And you could have had the same results with less water if you didn't have to provide enough water to both keep the peat hydrated and have enough left over for the seeds to germinate. You wasted money on the peat, and then you wasted money by having to water more. Unless you mix the peat into the soil, there is zero advantage to using it. In fact, if you just spread it on top, it's a waste. A waste of peat. A waste of water. And a waste of effort. The peat has no nutriative value, and if it's not mixed in the soil, it does nothing to help the soil at all. -- Warren H. |
#3
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Shredding & blowing peat moss on lawn?
Think about the purpose of using peat moss this way. It is not to improve
the soil. It is to help establish fresh additional grass in an existing sparse lawn that will not be dug up. The purpose of the peat moss is to retain moisture as the seeds germinate and develop. My evidence is my own observation that peat moss remains moist much longer than the surface of my lawn. Thus a lawn with peat moss on top will need less frequent watering, perhaps twice a day to keep the grass seed moist instead of every hour during midday. It will also shield the seeds from the direct sunlight, which could dry them out no matter what they're on. The claims of you and your authorities that mixing peat moss into soil is the best way to use it to improve the soil, and just leaving it on top is, at best, useless, seem undeniable. But that is not the goal here or the situation. The moss will be kept moist until the grass is established. The fact that peat moss is useful when dug in does not prevent it from being useful in other ways too. "Doug Kanter" wrote in message ... Question: In 30+ years of gardening, I've have never seen any advice indicating that peat moss did NOT need to be mixed into soil. Never. Not once, and this includes gardening veterans like James Crockett, Alan Lacy, Henry Mitchell, Fred McGourty, Russell Page, Christopher Lloyd, etc. They were gardening for 30-50 years before I even began. None of them suggest that it's a good idea to just sprinkle peat moss on top of soil. What evidence do you have that suddenly makes this a good idea? "Andrew Ostrander" wrote in message ... I see two significant advantages to using peat as described -- it reduces the frequency of waterings that are needed and surrounds the seeds and provides them with a constant level of humidity. It sounds like a good idea to me. And you could have had the same results with less water if you didn't have to provide enough water to both keep the peat hydrated and have enough left over for the seeds to germinate. You wasted money on the peat, and then you wasted money by having to water more. Unless you mix the peat into the soil, there is zero advantage to using it. In fact, if you just spread it on top, it's a waste. A waste of peat. A waste of water. And a waste of effort. The peat has no nutriative value, and if it's not mixed in the soil, it does nothing to help the soil at all. -- Warren H. |
#4
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Shredding & blowing peat moss on lawn?
Your observations are at best the products of delusion. Please accept that I
mean this in a good way. You have no idea what you saw. The only possible exception to what I've said is that you are home all day long, and are able to hose down the lawn's surface every couple of hours. Aside from that possibility, or living in a climate where it rains lightly and endlessly every day, there are no other explanations. "Andrew Ostrander" wrote in message ... Think about the purpose of using peat moss this way. It is not to improve the soil. It is to help establish fresh additional grass in an existing sparse lawn that will not be dug up. The purpose of the peat moss is to retain moisture as the seeds germinate and develop. My evidence is my own observation that peat moss remains moist much longer than the surface of my lawn. Thus a lawn with peat moss on top will need less frequent watering, perhaps twice a day to keep the grass seed moist instead of every hour during midday. It will also shield the seeds from the direct sunlight, which could dry them out no matter what they're on. The claims of you and your authorities that mixing peat moss into soil is the best way to use it to improve the soil, and just leaving it on top is, at best, useless, seem undeniable. But that is not the goal here or the situation. The moss will be kept moist until the grass is established. The fact that peat moss is useful when dug in does not prevent it from being useful in other ways too. "Doug Kanter" wrote in message ... Question: In 30+ years of gardening, I've have never seen any advice indicating that peat moss did NOT need to be mixed into soil. Never. Not once, and this includes gardening veterans like James Crockett, Alan Lacy, Henry Mitchell, Fred McGourty, Russell Page, Christopher Lloyd, etc. They were gardening for 30-50 years before I even began. None of them suggest that it's a good idea to just sprinkle peat moss on top of soil. What evidence do you have that suddenly makes this a good idea? "Andrew Ostrander" wrote in message ... I see two significant advantages to using peat as described -- it reduces the frequency of waterings that are needed and surrounds the seeds and provides them with a constant level of humidity. It sounds like a good idea to me. And you could have had the same results with less water if you didn't have to provide enough water to both keep the peat hydrated and have enough left over for the seeds to germinate. You wasted money on the peat, and then you wasted money by having to water more. Unless you mix the peat into the soil, there is zero advantage to using it. In fact, if you just spread it on top, it's a waste. A waste of peat. A waste of water. And a waste of effort. The peat has no nutriative value, and if it's not mixed in the soil, it does nothing to help the soil at all. -- Warren H. |
#5
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Shredding & blowing peat moss on lawn?
I am tremendously amused. You remarks were most entertaining. Thank you.
"Doug Kanter" wrote in message ... Your observations are at best the products of delusion. Please accept that I mean this in a good way. You have no idea what you saw. The only possible exception to what I've said is that you are home all day long, and are able to hose down the lawn's surface every couple of hours. Aside from that possibility, or living in a climate where it rains lightly and endlessly every day, there are no other explanations. "Andrew Ostrander" wrote in message ... Think about the purpose of using peat moss this way. It is not to improve the soil. It is to help establish fresh additional grass in an existing sparse lawn that will not be dug up. The purpose of the peat moss is to retain moisture as the seeds germinate and develop. My evidence is my own observation that peat moss remains moist much longer than the surface of my lawn. Thus a lawn with peat moss on top will need less frequent watering, perhaps twice a day to keep the grass seed moist instead of every hour during midday. It will also shield the seeds from the direct sunlight, which could dry them out no matter what they're on. The claims of you and your authorities that mixing peat moss into soil is the best way to use it to improve the soil, and just leaving it on top is, at best, useless, seem undeniable. But that is not the goal here or the situation. The moss will be kept moist until the grass is established. The fact that peat moss is useful when dug in does not prevent it from being useful in other ways too. "Doug Kanter" wrote in message ... Question: In 30+ years of gardening, I've have never seen any advice indicating that peat moss did NOT need to be mixed into soil. Never. Not once, and this includes gardening veterans like James Crockett, Alan Lacy, Henry Mitchell, Fred McGourty, Russell Page, Christopher Lloyd, etc. They were gardening for 30-50 years before I even began. None of them suggest that it's a good idea to just sprinkle peat moss on top of soil. What evidence do you have that suddenly makes this a good idea? "Andrew Ostrander" wrote in message ... I see two significant advantages to using peat as described -- it reduces the frequency of waterings that are needed and surrounds the seeds and provides them with a constant level of humidity. It sounds like a good idea to me. And you could have had the same results with less water if you didn't have to provide enough water to both keep the peat hydrated and have enough left over for the seeds to germinate. You wasted money on the peat, and then you wasted money by having to water more. Unless you mix the peat into the soil, there is zero advantage to using it. In fact, if you just spread it on top, it's a waste. A waste of peat. A waste of water. And a waste of effort. The peat has no nutriative value, and if it's not mixed in the soil, it does nothing to help the soil at all. -- Warren H. |
#6
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Shredding & blowing peat moss on lawn?
Good! When you can explain your theories, and why they fly in the face of
virtually ALL other professional recommendations, including those on the peat moss packages, I'll be happy to change my opinion. But, all you've done is said "I think this should work and the facts are of no important". You may as well be telling someone to stick a gun in his mouth and pull the trigger because you think the history of bullet wounds is nonsense. "Andrew Ostrander" wrote in message ... I am tremendously amused. You remarks were most entertaining. Thank you. "Doug Kanter" wrote in message ... Your observations are at best the products of delusion. Please accept that I mean this in a good way. You have no idea what you saw. The only possible exception to what I've said is that you are home all day long, and are able to hose down the lawn's surface every couple of hours. Aside from that possibility, or living in a climate where it rains lightly and endlessly every day, there are no other explanations. "Andrew Ostrander" wrote in message ... Think about the purpose of using peat moss this way. It is not to improve the soil. It is to help establish fresh additional grass in an existing sparse lawn that will not be dug up. The purpose of the peat moss is to retain moisture as the seeds germinate and develop. My evidence is my own observation that peat moss remains moist much longer than the surface of my lawn. Thus a lawn with peat moss on top will need less frequent watering, perhaps twice a day to keep the grass seed moist instead of every hour during midday. It will also shield the seeds from the direct sunlight, which could dry them out no matter what they're on. The claims of you and your authorities that mixing peat moss into soil is the best way to use it to improve the soil, and just leaving it on top is, at best, useless, seem undeniable. But that is not the goal here or the situation. The moss will be kept moist until the grass is established. The fact that peat moss is useful when dug in does not prevent it from being useful in other ways too. "Doug Kanter" wrote in message ... Question: In 30+ years of gardening, I've have never seen any advice indicating that peat moss did NOT need to be mixed into soil. Never. Not once, and this includes gardening veterans like James Crockett, Alan Lacy, Henry Mitchell, Fred McGourty, Russell Page, Christopher Lloyd, etc. They were gardening for 30-50 years before I even began. None of them suggest that it's a good idea to just sprinkle peat moss on top of soil. What evidence do you have that suddenly makes this a good idea? "Andrew Ostrander" wrote in message ... I see two significant advantages to using peat as described -- it reduces the frequency of waterings that are needed and surrounds the seeds and provides them with a constant level of humidity. It sounds like a good idea to me. And you could have had the same results with less water if you didn't have to provide enough water to both keep the peat hydrated and have enough left over for the seeds to germinate. You wasted money on the peat, and then you wasted money by having to water more. Unless you mix the peat into the soil, there is zero advantage to using it. In fact, if you just spread it on top, it's a waste. A waste of peat. A waste of water. And a waste of effort. The peat has no nutriative value, and if it's not mixed in the soil, it does nothing to help the soil at all. -- Warren H. |
#7
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Shredding & blowing peat moss on lawn?
You still persist in your error in logic.
You have not referred to any professional recommendation or evidence that says the method does not work. The professional recommendations to which you refer say to use peat moss another way, which is not applicable here. That does not mean it will not work in the way that is suggested here. That peat moss is recommended for method B and works in method B does not mean that it does not work in method A. I notice that you ignored my previous posting to a garden site that recommended applying peat moss on top of a lawn when reseeding. Here are 3 more. They were easily found. http://www.hudginsgardencenter.com/h...care_guide.htm http://extras.berkshireeagle.com/neb...ault.asp?id=ar ticle18 http://www.skynursery.com/doc/garden_lawn_tips.htm My other point is that, yes, I wrote, "I think this should work". I am disagreeing with your opinion. I did not present my opinion as accepted truth. You, on the other hand, have presented as known fact what is only your view on the situation. "Doug Kanter" wrote in message ... Good! When you can explain your theories, and why they fly in the face of virtually ALL other professional recommendations, including those on the peat moss packages, I'll be happy to change my opinion. But, all you've done is said "I think this should work and the facts are of no important". You may as well be telling someone to stick a gun in his mouth and pull the trigger because you think the history of bullet wounds is nonsense. "Andrew Ostrander" wrote in message ... I am tremendously amused. You remarks were most entertaining. Thank you. "Doug Kanter" wrote in message ... Your observations are at best the products of delusion. Please accept that I mean this in a good way. You have no idea what you saw. The only possible exception to what I've said is that you are home all day long, and are able to hose down the lawn's surface every couple of hours. Aside from that possibility, or living in a climate where it rains lightly and endlessly every day, there are no other explanations. "Andrew Ostrander" wrote in message ... Think about the purpose of using peat moss this way. It is not to improve the soil. It is to help establish fresh additional grass in an existing sparse lawn that will not be dug up. The purpose of the peat moss is to retain moisture as the seeds germinate and develop. My evidence is my own observation that peat moss remains moist much longer than the surface of my lawn. Thus a lawn with peat moss on top will need less frequent watering, perhaps twice a day to keep the grass seed moist instead of every hour during midday. It will also shield the seeds from the direct sunlight, which could dry them out no matter what they're on. The claims of you and your authorities that mixing peat moss into soil is the best way to use it to improve the soil, and just leaving it on top is, at best, useless, seem undeniable. But that is not the goal here or the situation. The moss will be kept moist until the grass is established. The fact that peat moss is useful when dug in does not prevent it from being useful in other ways too. "Doug Kanter" wrote in message ... Question: In 30+ years of gardening, I've have never seen any advice indicating that peat moss did NOT need to be mixed into soil. Never. Not once, and this includes gardening veterans like James Crockett, Alan Lacy, Henry Mitchell, Fred McGourty, Russell Page, Christopher Lloyd, etc. They were gardening for 30-50 years before I even began. None of them suggest that it's a good idea to just sprinkle peat moss on top of soil. What evidence do you have that suddenly makes this a good idea? "Andrew Ostrander" wrote in message ... I see two significant advantages to using peat as described -- it reduces the frequency of waterings that are needed and surrounds the seeds and provides them with a constant level of humidity. It sounds like a good idea to me. And you could have had the same results with less water if you didn't have to provide enough water to both keep the peat hydrated and have enough left over for the seeds to germinate. You wasted money on the peat, and then you wasted money by having to water more. Unless you mix the peat into the soil, there is zero advantage to using it. In fact, if you just spread it on top, it's a waste. A waste of peat. A waste of water. And a waste of effort. The peat has no nutriative value, and if it's not mixed in the soil, it does nothing to help the soil at all. -- Warren H. |
#8
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Shredding & blowing peat moss on lawn?
Andrew Ostrander wrote:
Think about the purpose of using peat moss this way. It is not to improve the soil. It is to help establish fresh additional grass in an existing sparse lawn that will not be dug up. The purpose of the peat moss is to retain moisture as the seeds germinate and develop. The peat will absorb moisture. If the peat was mixed in the soil, that moisture would be available to sprouting roots. But if the peat is on top of the soil, that moisture will be lost to evaporation as the peat dries, and will do the germination process absolutely no good. In fact, if you don't increase how much watering you do, the soil under the peat will never get the moisture it needs, and any germinating seeds will quickly die. My evidence is my own observation that peat moss remains moist much longer than the surface of my lawn. Yes. You're right. Thus a lawn with peat moss on top will need less frequent watering, perhaps twice a day to keep the grass seed moist instead of every hour during midday. Wrong. The water will go to keeping the peat moist, and that moiture will be unavailable for the germinating seedlings. It will also shield the seeds from the direct sunlight, which could dry them out no matter what they're on. If you're seeding during spring or fall, any direct sunlight is a non-issue. If you're seeding in the height of summer, yes, your seeds could dry out, but they're going to dry out faster if you cover them with a big sponge that's exposed to the sunlight. And that's what peat is. Try this: Take a sponge, and place it over some soil. Then water the area where the sponge is, as well as a bare area of similar soil composition, and other conditions. Water both areas to the point that the sponge is saturated. Every hour, check the soil under the sponge, and the area not under the sponge. Notice which soil dries out first: What was under the sponge, or what wasn't. The claims of you and your authorities that mixing peat moss into soil is the best way to use it to improve the soil, and just leaving it on top is, at best, useless, seem undeniable. But that is not the goal here or the situation. The moss will be kept moist until the grass is established. The fact that peat moss is useful when dug in does not prevent it from being useful in other ways too. You're missing the point. It's not worthless on top because it's supposed to be mixed in. It's supposed to be mixed in because it's worthless (and, in fact, counter-productive) on top. Save your water. Water only the soil and the seedlings. Don't lay peat on top. You'll just have to water the peat in addition to the soil and seedlings. -- Warren H. ========== Disclaimer: My views reflect those of myself, and not my employer, my friends, nor (as she often tells me) my wife. Any resemblance to the views of anybody living or dead is coincidental. No animals were hurt in the writing of this response -- unless you count my dog who desperately wants to go outside now. Power Lawncare Tools for Spring Clean-up: http://www.holzemville.com/mall/blackanddecker/ |
#9
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Shredding & blowing peat moss on lawn?
"Andrew Ostrander" wrote in message ... Think about the purpose of using peat moss this way. It is not to improve the soil. It is to help establish fresh additional grass in an existing sparse lawn that will not be dug up. The purpose of the peat moss is to retain moisture as the seeds germinate and develop. if the plan is to retain moisture and reduce watering surely a far simpler way of doing it is to peg some form of cloth across the soil until the seeds start to germinate. If the seed and peat moss is randomly spread amongst existing grass is that not a little haphazard. What guarantee do you have the the peat moss will come to rest in the places it is exactly needed. Moreover, what effect will peat moss have on existing grasses. If you lay it on too thick and moist you risk damaging the existing lawn. It may work however it seems there are far simpler ways of achieving the desired results. If simply wanting to beef up existing turf planting grasses in the correct season with the necessary climactic conditions is a huge head start. If the weather is hot and dry then the question has to be asked is grass the best product for such conditions. Peat moss may or may not work, however to my mind, is it the best way. rob |
#10
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Shredding & blowing peat moss on lawn?
"George.com" wrote in message
... "Andrew Ostrander" wrote in message ... Think about the purpose of using peat moss this way. It is not to improve the soil. It is to help establish fresh additional grass in an existing sparse lawn that will not be dug up. The purpose of the peat moss is to retain moisture as the seeds germinate and develop. if the plan is to retain moisture and reduce watering surely a far simpler way of doing it is to peg some form of cloth across the soil until the seeds start to germinate. Good idea, but the OP said she has an 8000 sq ft area. That's a lot of burlap! |
#11
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Shredding & blowing peat moss on lawn?
"Doug Kanter" wrote in message ... "George.com" wrote in message ... "Andrew Ostrander" wrote in message ... Think about the purpose of using peat moss this way. It is not to improve the soil. It is to help establish fresh additional grass in an existing sparse lawn that will not be dug up. The purpose of the peat moss is to retain moisture as the seeds germinate and develop. if the plan is to retain moisture and reduce watering surely a far simpler way of doing it is to peg some form of cloth across the soil until the seeds start to germinate. Good idea, but the OP said she has an 8000 sq ft area. That's a lot of burlap! you can get waste stuff if you look in the right places. Sure, it will be a bit of work however simply spreading seed on an 8000 sq ft area will be work in itself, as well as watering, as well as blowing peat fluff all over it. With something that large there is work there all rightregardless of what direction you go. rob |
#12
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Shredding & blowing peat moss on lawn?
"George.com" wrote in message ... "Doug Kanter" wrote in message ... "George.com" wrote in message ... "Andrew Ostrander" wrote in message ... Think about the purpose of using peat moss this way. It is not to improve the soil. It is to help establish fresh additional grass in an existing sparse lawn that will not be dug up. The purpose of the peat moss is to retain moisture as the seeds germinate and develop. if the plan is to retain moisture and reduce watering surely a far simpler way of doing it is to peg some form of cloth across the soil until the seeds start to germinate. Good idea, but the OP said she has an 8000 sq ft area. That's a lot of burlap! you can get waste stuff if you look in the right places. Sure, it will be a bit of work however simply spreading seed on an 8000 sq ft area will be work in itself, as well as watering, as well as blowing peat fluff all over it. With something that large there is work there all rightregardless of what direction you go. rob ps a great area for dogs to go and poo on or to bend your garden fork levering out roots. rob |
#13
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Shredding & blowing peat moss on lawn?
"George.com" wrote in message ... "Doug Kanter" wrote in message ... "George.com" wrote in message ... "Andrew Ostrander" wrote in message ... Think about the purpose of using peat moss this way. It is not to improve the soil. It is to help establish fresh additional grass in an existing sparse lawn that will not be dug up. The purpose of the peat moss is to retain moisture as the seeds germinate and develop. if the plan is to retain moisture and reduce watering surely a far simpler way of doing it is to peg some form of cloth across the soil until the seeds start to germinate. Good idea, but the OP said she has an 8000 sq ft area. That's a lot of burlap! you can get waste stuff if you look in the right places. Sure, it will be a bit of work however simply spreading seed on an 8000 sq ft area will be work in itself, as well as watering, as well as blowing peat fluff all over it. With something that large there is work there all rightregardless of what direction you go. rob I agree. If it were my lawn, I'd do the job during a vacation week so I could be out there misting it whenever necessary. |
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