Since most potting mixes in stores are made from peat moss, which is not considered to be a sustainable material or process for the environment, I decided to try making my own. This way I can control what goes into my mix. Potting mix is generally a sterile environment, meaning there’s no life or nutrients in it, which is why it’s such a good choice for starting seeds in. This is also why many companies add their own fertilizer. Eventually plants will need nutrients in the form of amendments or

For peat's sake! Peat moss has been added to potting mixes for a long time, and for good reasons: it retains a ton of moisture, is sterile (no weed seeds or pathogens), and provides a nice, fluffy texture. So what is this magical stuff? Peat is made of decomposed sphagnum moss which grows in bogs that cover massive areas (thousands of square miles!) of the Northern hemisphere — these bogs provide habitat for many rare plant species 🌿 and are important carbon sinks in the face of climate change