The use of peat in the suburban area. Making a fertile mixture using peat. Peat in animal husbandry
With its unique natural properties, it is widely used in various industries, namely in energy, in agricultural activities, in animal husbandry, in construction, in medicine and ecology.
The use of peat in the energy sector
In the energy industry, peat is actively used as an excellent fuel. Peat in its primary form before processing has a low energy efficiency compared to coal, but it has many advantages. Peat contains a minimum amount of sulfur and a minimum of harmful impurities, so the use of peat has practically no harmful effect on environment. At the same time, among the significant advantages of peat, one can single out its low cost, which is explained by its low extraction costs. Although sod peat produced from peat deposits is the most accessible, it is similar to shale and brown coal for all energy properties. It is lumpy peat that is used for settlement heating and small towns. Under influence high temperatures peat coke is formed on peat, and activated carbon is developed from peat coke.
The use of peat in agricultural activities
Agriculture is perhaps the main industry in which peat is widely used. In its original form, peat is recognized as an excellent medium for growing absolutely all plants. Peat contains a rich abundance of humic acids and amino acids, which have an excellent effect on the development and fast growth plants.
With the use of peat, fertile soils and various fertilizers are prepared, as well as substrates that are used for greenhouse cultivation plants. The role of peat is to retain harmful substances and improve the health of the soil, to minimize the presence of nitrates and heavy metals in grown plants. Using peat, planting mixtures for lawns are also made.
Peat is ideal in the manufacture of composts, because the result is the richest useful properties fertilizer. This peat mixture will prevent the loss of nitrogen, which is contained in the manure of animals and birds, and will also convert nitrogenous compounds into a substance available to plants.
The use of peat in animal husbandry
Livestock breeding is not possible without the use of peat. Peat in this case It is used as bedding for farm animals and birds, because peat retains heat well, absorbs moisture well and is quite soft in its consistency. Also, peat will perfectly clean and provide an optimal level of acidity to the water, so it is used in the production of filters for aquariums.
The use of peat in the construction industry
Peat is also used in the construction industry. In this case, peat is used by builders as thermal insulation material due to its high moisture resistance. Peat is used to make slabs for thermal insulation.
The use of peat in production
Peat is used in alcohol production, and in particular, for the manufacture of whiskey. In order to dry the malt, it is placed on the floor, in which special holes are made, and it is peat that is set on fire under the floor.
The use of peat in medicine
Special peat deposits make it possible to use peat for taking mud baths for medical purposes, and peat is also used in the production of certain medicines.
The use of peat in ecology
Thanks to irreplaceable natural properties peat, it is used as an excellent filter and sorbent for sewage facilities. Peat has excellent absorbent, gas-absorbing and filtering properties, which makes it indispensable in eliminating the consequences of environmental accidents.
The company "Dmitrovsk soils" offers peat and peat mixtures with delivery in the Moscow region at the best prices.
Peat is a decomposed substance of the remains of plants and animals, which includes minerals. By its nature, it is formed in swamps, where there is high humidity and where air does not enter. In addition, it is used as a fuel, due to its high carbon content, and it is also cultivated with soil, used as a building material.
Peat formation
In nature various plants and organisms that live in swamps or overgrown ponds die out, resulting in a mass that becomes larger and larger over time. Peat formation occurs under conditions of a minimum amount of oxygen and high humidity.
Depending on the stage of decomposition of organisms, several types of peat are distinguished:
- Horse, when the compressed layers have not completely decomposed.
- Lowland when decomposition has occurred completely.
- Transitional peat is a state of mass between upland and lowland species.
Man fertilizes the earth different means, but it is peat that is familiar with its useful qualities since ancient times, so it is used not only in agriculture but also for work on private land plots.
Peat as soil fertilizer
Many gardeners and gardeners believe that the land can be cultivated with peat alone, although this is an erroneous opinion, despite the high percentage of humus in it, it is not recommended to fertilize the soil in this way. This is easily explained by the fact that the composition of the peat mass includes a minimum amount of nutrients, it should be noted that there is enough nitrogen in it, but it is difficult for plants to assimilate such an additive. Experts do not advise using only peat as a fertilizer, since only a maximum of 1.5 kg of nitrogen falls on a ton of land, and other elements are also needed for the development and growth of crops. For top dressing it is necessary to use other mineral, as well as organic fertilizers.
In addition to the fact that peat contains humus, it also has a porous structure, which significantly increases the physiological qualities of the soil, this applies to any composition. Due to such fertilizer, the earth passes water and oxygen, breathes with ease, without difficulty, and the roots of the plant feel good in such an environment. This applies to low-lying and intermediate types of peat, if we talk about the riding type, then it is best used only to shelter plants from frost.
For some types of soil, peat does not play a role and does not give anything like fertilizer, especially in relation to fertile land. But if the soil in the area with impurities of clay or sand is depleted and lacks organic matter, then peat with additional fertilizers will change the situation for the better. Agricultural crops will bring good harvest, A houseplants will acquire appearance.
Peat soil is exceptionally valuable, only with the addition of other mineral or organic substrates or in the form of compost, which is especially useful for plants.
Positive qualities of peat
This type of fertilizer has numerous positive features, if used correctly, for example, it nourishes not only depleted soil, but also gives it lightness, makes the structure porous, due to which both air and water enter the root system of plants faster.
In addition, peat is an antiseptic of natural origin, therefore it cleanses the soil of harmful bacteria, maintains microflora and protects against various harmful bacteria and fungi. In addition, it easily increases the acidity of the soil, if necessary, thereby increasing the effectiveness of fertilizers. Optimal indicator pH should be equal to 3.5, otherwise peat, as a fertilizer, can harm crops.
Important! Improper use of such raw materials as fertilizer will cause the plants to grow slowly, and in some cases even lead to death.
Negative influence
Some gardeners do not know how to properly use peat, so they make various mistakes in the process of tillage, for example, it is not recommended to apply it with a continuous method. Other feeds, organic or mineral type. You can not use high-moor peat in the form of fertilizer, as there will be no sense, since in most cases they are used for mulching. For sandy and fertile soils, peat mass, as an organic fertilizer, is not suitable.
Do-it-yourself peat harvesting
All composting work begins with the preparation of a place for its placement, for example, a box, the raw materials are laid in layers, between which earth or manure is located.
In order for it to become fertile, it should be laid in layers no more than 50 cm thick, or it should be thoroughly mixed with plant residues. Distinctive feature peat is that it retains moisture well, therefore, during its storage it is necessary to cover it tightly, otherwise the rains will lead to the formation of a wet and heavy mass, which is simply impossible to dry afterwards.
SONY DSC Self-made compost must be moistened until the raw material is loose so that water does not run in a stream if you squeeze the fertilizer with your hand. In the box where the peat will be stored, it is necessary to put a good layer of drainage, for example, from branches. As a rule, many soil harmful microorganisms do not live in an acidic environment, the pH of which is 5 units, in peat this indicator is less, therefore, before composting, it is necessary to have dehydrated raw materials. To do this, lime flour and ash are added to it, in any quantity, mixing thoroughly.
In agriculture, there are two types of peat composting:
- Layered, when the mass and manure are laid in layers, alternating raw materials in turn, until the height of the stack is equal to 1.5 meters.
- Focal, when peat is first laid, and then along and in the middle of the pile of manure.
Manure is laid on all sides, and in summer water or liquid is added to the pile, in addition, peat compost is useful to add fertilizers with potassium, lime, given the acidity of the soil.
Peat fertilizer for plants and seedlings
For seedlings and crops, fertilizer is prepared once a season, applied in autumn or spring, for digging, which increases soil fertility. By its composition, peat is tight, so it should be slightly modified before being embedded in the soil. When spring comes, they remove the film that covered the peat mass for the winter, add fresh feces and mix well, leave to infuse for a maximum of two days, then scatter it on a new drainage to make the fertilizing material loose and fill it with oxygen. After use, they are closed again so that rain does not get in, and left to mature until the onset of autumn.
peat formation
The main disadvantage of this fertilizer is that it does not contain clay and sand, as well as pebbles, which create a drainage effect.
Sand and clay are very important for the soil, and the latter even more so, because it contains all the nutrients so that they are not washed out, it helps to form high-quality humus elements. In simple words, clay is a favorable basis for fertile soil. The fact that the peat mass is formed in a swamp environment makes it rich not only in humic substances, but also in organic matter. The parameters of the ratio of sand and clay does not matter, the main thing is that these components are present.
To fertilize the beds, it is enough to add several buckets and sand, clay, not forgetting about other ordinary mineral fertilizers, especially nitrogen compounds. fertile soil fertilized, and peat soil must be processed without fail, since many substances are practically absent in such raw materials.
As a rule, phosphorus and potassium are added either to peat compost or directly to the flower beds during their creation. In fact, they are already compost heaps, since they are mixed with as much manure and bird droppings as possible, grass mass and fertilizers, as well as ash and other additives, phosphorite and dolomite flour. After everything is mixed, the pile is left to infuse and mature for at least a few months.
For more information on how to obtain, use and store peat in the form of fertilizer, you can watch the video
Many gardeners use as organic fertilizer peat. When purchasing it, they immediately scatter fertilizer over the beds, under bushes and trees, hoping next year for high yields. However, they will be disappointed: peat will not instantly increase the fertility of the soil. Now let's explain why.
Peat consists mainly of dead plant residues, more or less decomposed. From nutrients it contains only nitrogen in significant quantities (up to 20 or more kg per ton), but it is used very poorly by plants. As a rule, only 3-5 percent of nitrogen is assimilated, that is, 0.6-1 kg per ton of peat.
The availability of nitrogen and its amount in peat depends on the type of peat (its origin). Peat is raised, lowland and transitional. It also differs in acidity, content of minerals and plant residues, moisture capacity, degree of decomposition. Lowland peat is the richest in nitrogen, and high-moor peat is the poorest. And the availability of nitrogen in the last type of peat is the lowest.
Many freshly harvested or poorly ventilated peatlands can contain high levels of substances that are toxic to plants. These compounds, with good aeration, quickly decompose, but the introduction of such peat into the soil immediately before sowing or planting can adversely affect the growth and yield of plants.
It is possible to increase and accelerate the availability of nitrogen by heating peat at a temperature of 60 ° C, which happens when composting. That's why do not rush to fertilize the soil with newly acquired peat. It is good to use it for composting with faeces, fresh manure, kitchen waste and plant residues. If the compost mixture dries out, it needs to be moistened. Peat-fecal compost can be used two years after laying, introducing into the soil for spring digging no more than 2-3 kg per 1 sq. m, as it contains an increased amount of nutrients.
Pure peat as a fertilizer is most effective on poor uncultivated sandy or clay soils with low content organic matter. Practically without affecting the provision of soil with nutrients for plants, peat still increases the content of organic matter, improves soil structure, it becomes warmer, looser, water and breathable.
If the soil is well cultivated, contains 4-5 percent of humus, has a mechanical composition favorable for plants (medium and light loamy), then the introduction of peat does little.
When is the best time to apply peat and in what quantities?
Since this is a very stable material (it retains all the substances in it well), it can be applied to the soil at any time, even in winter on snow (if the area is flat), and the more the better. It is impossible to re-fertilize the soil with peat. However, one should take into account the high acidity of peat (pH 2.5-3.0, and the acidity of pH 5.5-7.0 is necessary for plant growth). To neutralize acidity, 4-6 kg of lime or dolomite flour are added per 100 kg of peat.
The introduction of complex mineral fertilizers is also necessary (50-70 g per 1 sq. M). To increase the content of organic matter by 1 percent, 12-15 kg of peat (2-3 buckets) per 1 sq. m. In its natural state, soddy-podzolic soils usually contain 1.5-2 percent of organic matter. Therefore, in order to bring it up to 4-5 percent, 40-50 kg of peat per 1 sq. m. In the future, to maintain a constant composition on average per year, only 0.2-0.3 kg per 1 sq. M. will be required. m.
On all soils, especially heavy and floating ones, where a dense crust forms after rains, peat gives good results as mulch.
IN combined with humus and soddy soil, peat is an excellent soil component for greenhouses(in the ratio 1:1:1 or 1:1:2 or 1:1:3). Recipes for such mixtures can be found in the specialized literature.
T. Zavyalova, candidate of agricultural sciences
Many gardeners start preparing potting soil for seedlings in February. Important Component this soil mixture- peat. Thanks to microorganisms living in bottom peat, root system seedlings will receive enough heat and nutrients. In the process of life, bacteria process the remains of marsh plants and generate heat. In peat soil, seedlings develop faster than in a sandy fertile mixture, for which perlite sand and humus are mixed.
Peat has hyperacidity. Therefore, it cannot be used as the basis for a fertile mixture. If you sow the seeds in acidic soil, then after germination they will rot. The acidity of peat must be balanced with neutral soil or garden soil.
To prepare a fertile mixture for seedlings you will need:
- grassroots (lowland) peat;
- sand;
- potassium and;
- garden land or neutral purchased soil.
As a fertilizer for a fertile peat mixture, you can use alcohol tincture high peat. The seeds of flowers and other plants are also treated with its solution. To prepare the solution, you need to pour the high-moor peat with alcohol and insist for a week. Then one tablespoon of tincture should be dissolved in 10 liters of water. Plant seeds are treated with this solution. This solution is used as a bioactive fungicide and insecticide.
Preparation of peat mixture
To prepare a soil peat mixture, you will need calcined river sand, which is used as drainage. Garden soil or neutral soil must be sifted through a sieve.
Since peat contains a large amount of resin, it repels water. Therefore, before preparing the mixture, the soil must be steamed. Under the influence of steam, the soil becomes looser and better passes water.
In 10 kg of sifted soil, add one tablespoon of potash and phosphate fertilizers. Potassium salt and superphosphate are used as these fertilizers. Next, the soil is poured into the tank. A container with soil is placed in a larger tank. Up to 10 cm of water is poured into such a “matryoshka” and put on fire. On gas stove the soil should hold 30 minutes. Steamed soil is mixed with 5 liters of peat and 5 kg of river sand. Such a peat mixture is poured into containers, and then seeds are sown in them.
