Green spheres in peat moss?

[Doive]

Spent most of the weekend sieving sphagnum peat moss down really fine for my carrot beds. Out of 150 litres of peat, I must have found about two dozen little green spheres, probably about 5mm diameter. They are firm to the touch, but will burst with a clear liquid when squeezed. Any ideas what they might be? I'm thinking plant seeds, although they do bear a strong resemblance to slug eggs... earthworm eggs possibly? Should I 'plant' one and see what it does? More importantly, will any I miss go on to cause problems?

[veggiechicken]

Its not an additive to the peat moss is it? Some composts have things like moisture retaining granules that look a bit like eggs.

[Doive]

Don't think so, it claims to be 100% natural sphagnum peat moss, so anything in there would hopefully be naturally occurring. I have photos of the offending articles, will put them on tomorrow. They look like quarter grown peas! If they do turn out to be earthworm eggs, I'll definitely grow some of them as I don't have any at all in the raised beds.

[alldigging]

I saw one yesterday in a tray in the greenhouse and wondered what it was.

[Two_Sheds]

100% natural sphagnum peat moss

I don't understand the logic of depleting a natural habitat to create a potting compost, when more sustainable, less damaging, materials are available.

"peat moss is commercially harvested ...from these bogs. ... the water drains away from the wetland and the bog begins to dry out and die.
peat bogs have their own special ecosystem... They are home to rare wildlife, including untold numbers of highly specialized native plants, many of which may be endangered and found only in the peat bog. "

Peat Moss is an Ecological Problem - Natural Life Magazine - frugal, green family living

[Two_Sheds]

two dozen little green spheres, probably about 5mm diameter.

Slow release fertiliser? What does the packaging say?

[VirginVegGrower]

Why is peat needed for carrots. Mole hills!

[Two_Sheds]

Peat isn't needed for carrots

[Nicos]

Sand surely?

[WendyC]

I was going to say slow release fertilizer. Take photo and email company to ask them.

[Doive]

Appreciate the sentiments expressed in using peat. However, where I come from there are a great many peat bogs, and that's all we have ever used as a source of nutrients for our gardens. When we needed peat, it was a case of walking half a mile with a hessian sack, and gathering as much as you needed from the local bog. I've found carrots grow best for me in a fine peat compost mix, set into a bed of sand. Willing to consider alternatives if they will perform better!

These green blobs are definitely not an additive to the peat, they are seemingly part of it. I wouldn't say they are common, maybe half a dozen in a 100 litre bag. Be interesting to find out.

[sowitgrowit]

Appreciate the sentiments expressed in using peat. However, where I come from there are a great many peat bogs, and that's all we have ever used as a source of nutrients for our gardens. When we needed peat, it was a case of walking half a mile with a hessian sack, and gathering as much as you needed from the local bog.

Fair enough, and obviously it is down to personal choice, but that is a very short term view. At one point there would have been a 'great many' tigers or mountain gorillas, for example, so catching or hunting a few (or destroying their habitat) wouldn't have much impact. After all, there were a great many of them...

Not any more, obviously.

Anyway, without derailing this thread further, that's my 2p-worth. There are good peat free alternatives.

[Aberdeenplotter]

can someone please post a pic of these pellets?

[Aberdeenplotter]

There are good peat free alternatives.

There is nothing on the market which is as good as peat. If there was, we wouldn't be having this debate. We would all be using it.

[bearded bloke]

Well said AP