Peat Moss Preparation

• Peat moss absorbs water slowly, making it necessary to pre-moisten it before use in seed starting. Place the peat moss inside a 5-gallon bucket or other container. Fill the container with just enough water to cover the peat moss then let it sit overnight. Pour off any excess water or drain the peat moss in a large colander. Properly moistened peat moss feels moist to the touch but doesn't release any water droplets when squeezed. When larger quantities are pre-moistened, store them in the bucket with the lid in place. This retains the moisture until you are ready to use it.
  
  

Mixing Peat Moss

• Peat moss is not sufficient on its own for seed starting. In the confines of a pot it may retain too much moisture or block the drainage holes. Too much moisture is the main cause of seedling death, as overly wet conditions allow fungi that kill the plants to grow on the soil surface. Peat moss also has no nutrients of its own to give the young plants. Mixing peat moss with equal parts compost adds organic matter that aids nutrition. Builder's sand, perlite or vermiculite added in equal amounts aid drainage. These are also sterile and do not cause disease. Compost must be purchased sterilized or baked in the oven at 180 degrees F for 30 minutes to sterilize.
  
  

Growing In Peat Moss

• Seeds need no additional nutrients until they are two weeks old or approximately 2 inches high. Begin by filling seed starting pots or trays to within 1/2 inch of the rim with the peat moss mixture. Sow large seeds to a depth twice their width. Sow small seeds on the soil surface and cover with an 1/8 inch layer of moistened peat moss, then set the pots in a warm room to germinate. After germination the plants will need water and feed. Water peat moss mixtures from the bottom so fertilizer is not washed out through the drainage holes. This also keeps moisture off the seedlings. Place the pots into a shallow dish of water until the surface of the peat moss begins to feel moist again. Fertilize with half-strength liquid fertilizer once weekly until the plants are transplanted outside or put into their permanent pots.