A biodegradable pot to start seedlings in that can be planted right into our gardens sounds like the perfect plan, and many gardeners use them reliably year after year. However, peat pots can be tricky and arent the cure-all we hoped they would be.
Not all biodegradable pots are peat pots, although all peat pots are biodegradable. Kind of like not all rectangles are squares, but all squares are rectangles. Biodegradable pots can be made from manure, wool, peat, coir, and other materials, and are often a blend of several. There are also pellets of peat or other natural materials, which dont require any seed starting mix–the seed is dropped inside, and water swells the material around the seed. For this article, were talking about peat pots–the compressed and fibrous light brown pots meant to be filled with seed-starting soil and used to start seedlings.
Peat pots eventually become biodegradable, and some are even organic, listed with OMRI (the Organic Materials Review Institute). Many peat pots are no longer pure peat and contain wool or other materials to help with the issues discussed below. Since they are single-use containers, sterilizing them before reusing them the next year isnt an issue.
Using peat pots instead of plastic eliminates the problem of typically unrecyclable plastics in our garden efforts. Old or used peat pots can be tossed into our compost piles or shredded by hand and used as mulch in the garden.
Plants that typically dont transplant well may be candidates for peat pots. If used carefully, they can minimize soil disturbance around the roots. Many cucurbits, such as squashes, melons, pumpkins, and cucumbers, dislike being transplanted, and a properly sized peat pot can help. While those plants are typically directly sown in the garden, pest issues (squirrels and chipmunks, anyone?) can necessitate starting them indoors.
While peat pots seem like a great idea, they can be challenging. So what is an environmentally concerned gardener to do? Here are a few other ideas that are better for your seedlings.
Peat pots seem like the perfect solution for starting seeds – they are biodegradable and can be planted directly into the garden. But can you really just put peat pots in the ground? Or do they cause more problems than they solve? Here’s an in-depth look at the pros and cons of planting peat pots directly in the garden.
What are Peat Pots?
Peat pots are small containers used to start seedlings indoors. They are made from compressed peat moss and come in different shapes and sizes. The idea is that you can start seeds in the peat pots, let them grow into seedlings, and then transplant the entire peat pot into the garden without disturbing the roots. Over time, the peat pot breaks down in the soil, releasing nutrients and avoiding the need to remove seedlings from pots.
Peat pots have been around for decades and remain popular with home gardeners looking for a biodegradable and easy way to start plants. They are especially handy for vegetables and flowers that dislike having their roots disturbed, like squash, melons, and cucumbers.
The Benefits of Planting Peat Pots Directly in the Ground
There are some advantages to planting peat pots straight into the garden
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No transplant shock When you remove seedlings from plastic pots, some damage to the roots is inevitable. This can stunt growth Planting the peat pot avoids this stress on the plant
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Earlier planting: You don’t have to wait for the last frost to plant out peat potted plants. The peat insulation protects the roots from some cold temperatures.
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Less waste: Peat pots are compostable and biodegradable. Plastic pots usually end up in the landfill each season.
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Moisture retention: The peat helps hold moisture around the developing roots. This gives the plant a boost, especially in hot or dry conditions after transplanting.
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Nutrients: As the peat breaks down, it releases nutrients into the soil that the plant can use. This gives them a feeding boost.
Potential Problems with Planting Peat Pots In Ground
However, peat pots also come with some downsides that you need to consider
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Slow to break down: Peat is very slow to break down in many soils. The pots often remain intact for months, restricting root growth.
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Roots grow into pot: Seedling roots penetrate and grow into the pot walls. Removing the root-filled pot damages the roots.
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Wicks moisture away: Exposed top edges of the pot can wick moisture away from the soil. This causes the seedling to dry out.
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Vulnerable to mold: Damp peat is prone to mold. Keeping peat pots evenly moist but not wet can be tricky.
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Repel water when dry: If peat pots totally dry out, they resist re-wetting and hold water away from the roots.
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Require cutting: To allow outward root growth, you often have to cut or tear peat pots before planting.
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Ongoing cost: Peat pots are single-use items, so you must purchase new ones every planting season.
Tips for Successfully Planting Peat Pots In the Garden
If you want to try direct planting peat pots, follow these tips to increase your chances of success:
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Cut or score the sides of the pots before planting. This gives roots an escape route out of the pot.
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Tear off any exposed peat pot rim above the soil line after planting. This prevents moisture loss.
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Water peat pots thoroughly before transplanting. Dry peat resists rehydration.
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Loosen roots from pot walls or break up exposed bottom peat plugs. This encourages root spread.
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Amend garden soil with compost to encourage fast breakdown of peat pots.
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Space pots well in trays and allow air flow around plants to reduce mold risks.
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Use pots sized for each plant’s root system. Overly large pots take forever to decompose.
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Consider blending peat with materials like coir or wool which break down faster.
Alternatives to Planting Peat Pots Directly in the Garden
If the potential hassles of peat pots make you think twice, what are the options? Here are a few peat-free choices:
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Reusable plastic pots – More sustainable than single-use peat and very affordable long term.
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Cow pots – Made from composted cow manure and fully biodegradable.
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Paper pots – Constructed from recycled paper and cardboard materials.
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Coir pots – Sustainable pots constructed from coconut coir fiber.
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Compostable plastic pots – Plastic-like pots made from plant materials that decompose.
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Cell packs – Like plastic 6-packs but decompose in the garden.
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Burlap pots – Craft your own pots using natural burlap material.
The Bottom Line – Can You Plant Peat Pots Directly?
You definitely can plant peat pots directly into the garden. However, it is risky and they do not always break down quickly as hoped. With care, you can increase success rates. But for many gardeners, the frustrations of peat pots outweigh the benefits. If you want an eco-friendly pot, but skip the peat problems, alternatives like cow pots, coir pots or recycled plastic may be better options. With extra preparation and care, peat pots can work, but other biodegradable pots are less hassle.
They often don’t break down quickly
The big idea with peat pots is to plant them directly in the ground, and theyll decompose and turn into soil—no disturbed roots, no muss, no fuss. Unfortunately, it doesnt often work out that way. Peat pots will decompose in the soil, but on a scale that is too long for our plants. Many gardeners including myself have dug up almost fully intact peat pots at the end of the year.
Often, they constrict the plants roots and limit growth. Gardeners who do use peat pots will cut or tear them, remove the bottoms, or just pull them off to solve this problem. However,that negates the supposed advantage of using them in the first place, which is minimizing root disturbance. Seedling roots often grow into the peat material, making removal difficult without damaging the roots.
While peat pots are not used-car expensive, they do need to be purchased every year. Unlike reusable wood or plastic pots, peat pots are single-use items. Theyre even more expensive on a per-plant basis when purchased in small retail quantities most gardeners need. If you want to purchase peat pots, buy enough for several years to get them at a better price.
Wood Seed Starting Trays
If going old school appeals to you, look into wood seed starting trays. Before plastic trays, gardeners and growers started seeds in wood trays. Properly sealed and cared for, they can last years. Plus, you can make them at home. Be sure they have drainage holes.
Can You Plant Peat Pots Directly In The Ground? – Style Your Decor
FAQ
Can you plant peat pellets directly in the ground?
Can you plant fibre pots in the ground?
When ready to plant out, Fibre Grow Pots can be planted directly into the soil, saving effort and minimising root disturbance. This encourages faster establishment and a stronger root system.
Can you bottom water peat pots?
Peat pots should not be allowed to sit in water on a tray. Unlike a cell pack of plastic pots, which is watered from the bottom, peat pots should be watered from the top.
Do you need to remove jiffy pots before planting?
Yes. the purpose of using jiffy pots is for the ease of transplanting. Alot of folks do remove the pot or a portion of it, is it necessary, no. You’ll see no difference is production at all… Making sure that the top portion is not exposed when transplanted is a good idea.