15+ Vegetables That Do Not Like Peat Moss: The Full Guide 

Being a vegetable lover, it is important to grow vegetables in their desired conditions. Do all vegetables like peat moss to grow? Hey folks! I’m Anna Scott, a Gardener by heart and Profession, started my Journey 15 years ago and Now I am teaching other gardeners as well to achieve their goals.

No, folks every vegetable will not grow well in the peat moss, they require other soil amendment like manure, compost, worm castings, leaf mold, etc that provides them with the preferred growing conditions. Peat moss is not filled up with the nutrients that are needed by the plants, so do not use them for vegetables that do not like peat moss. Some of them are beetroot, cabbage, carrot, peppers, parsnips, radishes etc. 

Peat moss holds various fertilizing qualities that enhance the growth and development of the plant. However various vegetables do not like peat moss for their growth. So, let’s get started to know about the vegetables that do not like peat moss in detail. Stay connected with this guide till the end for its proper understanding. 

Should I Put Peat Moss in My Vegetable Garden?

Yes, why not? You should put peat moss in your vegetable garden. Peat moss is considered an excellent choice for soil amendment as it has various features that help in the upbringing of a plant. It forms in a great way in the soil and it will not invite any weeds into your vegetable garden.

Peat moss has been used by various farmers over various years. it is formed from the plant material underwater in compacts and decays. The soil after that forms peat moss which also prevents weeds as they are compacted for a long time.

What about adding horse manure as fertilizer to the plant sounds amazing as it will work Great as seeds will reside in the manure which will help in the growth of the plant. 

It is consistent when you add the Peat moss to the soil, it will not make the soil hard and helps in good drainage in the plant.

Last, but not least, can be added to the soil as a mulch, which also helps in retaining the water from the soil. It will also hold the water so that the plants survive well in the hot sun. 

15+ Vegetables That Do Not Like Peat Moss

As mentioned, peat moss is a good source of nutrients for the soil to help the plants grow at their best.

However, some various plants and tables do not like to grow in the peat moss. So below are the top 15 vegetables that do not like peat moss for their growing. Let’s throw some light on all those vegetables in detail: 

Asparagus

• Asparagus is one of the plants that prefers to grow in sandy soil or loamy soil. It maintains the moisture and acidity in the plant.
• But by adding peat moss, you are inviting high moisture to the plant, which is not good for the plant’s growth.
• So, rather than this, make use of Compost, manure that will help the perennial vegetable to grow amazingly in your garden.

Beetroot

• Beetroot is another vegetable that can bear the alkaline conditions for its growth.
• However, the peat moss provides an acidic environment to this plant, which is less likely to be tolerated.
• You can use like as a soil amendment to the plant which will increase the pH level of the soil. 

Broad Beans

• Broad beans are in love with well-drained soil for their healthy growth and development.
• They do not like water retaining properties that are offered by the peat moss, so avoid it.
• Instead, mix compost with sand to make a great mixture which will help in balancing the nutrients in the soil. 

Cabbage

• What about cabbage? Does cabbage like to grow in the peat moss? Of course not.
• This is because cabbage likes neutral to alkaline soils to grow well.
• It is far away from the acidity that is provided by the peat moss, so it does not like to grow in the peat moss.
• By adding wood ash or lime to the soil, you can make a good environment for the cabbage to grow by neutralizing the acidity of the soil. 

Carrots

• Cabbage starves for well-drained and sandy soil which enhances its roots. 
• Peat moss contains water-retaining properties that are not ideal for the carrots to grow.
• Make use of sand to the soil which will help in improving the drainage capacity of the soil.
• Last, but not least, it will also help in stimulating the growth of the crunchy roots of the plant. 

Cauliflower

• Cauliflower is the relative of the cabbage that likes to grow in neutral to alkaline soil.
• To enhance the pH level of the soil, you can add crushed eggshells or lime which will work as the calcium for the plant. 

Cucumbers

• Cucumbers like to grow in the well-drained soil. Whereas peat moss has moisture-retaining properties that are not liked by cucumbers.
• So try to add compost or manure to the soil to increase its fertility and drainage. 

Eggplant

• Eggplant shares the requirements of cucumbers, that is they like well-drained and sandy soil to grow.
• To make a healthy environment for the plant, you can make use of compost or coarse sand to the soil to enhance its capacity.

Garlic

• Well-drained soil is every plant’s favorite choice to grow in, same is the need for garlic. 
• Providing this plant with a mixture of compost and perlite will help it grow best. 
• It will help in providing good drainage to the plant and nutrients to grow well. 

Onions

• Onions like sandy soil which helps in the good development of their bulbs.
• Peat moss will cause hindrance in the growth of the plant, So avoid applying it.
• A mixture of sand and compost will suit the growth of the plant as it provides a good amount of nutrients to the plant. 

Okra

• Okra is another choice that does not like to grow in the peat moss as the soil amendment. 
• It likes light and well-drained soil for its growth. It does not like moisture-retaining conditions to grow. 
• Add some coarse sand and compost to the soil that helps the plant to grow well. 

Parsnips

• Parsnips like loose and well-drained soil for its growth. 
• It does not like the water retention properties of the peat moss.
• Making a mixture of compost and sand will help in ensuring good growth of the plant. 

Peppers

• Peppers like to grow in well-drained soil, whereas Peat moss works the opposite for the plant.
• Add a mixture of perlite and compost to the plant which will help the purpose to provide nutrients and good drainage. 

Radishes

• Radishes are considered fast-growing root vegetables. Peat moss will not help in growing this vegetable for long.
• It requires well-drained and loose soil for its growth.
• You can make a ball mixture of sand and compost to the soil providing good conditions for the plant to grow and maintain its crunchiness. 

Rutabaga

• Last, but not least, Rutabagas are another vegetables that do not like peat moss to grow in. 
• They require well-drained, sandy, loamy soil for their healthy growth.
• To provide appropriate nutrients to the plant, add coarse sand and compost to the soil. 

Alternative Soil Amendments for These Vegetables

Peat moss is not an adorable choice for various vegetable vegetables as it contains acidic properties that are not like those plants. So looking for other alternatives for these vegetables. if yes then, it’s great as I am here with those alternative soil amendments in detail. They are as follows: 

Compost

• It is one of the best alternatives that is used by various farmers as it enriches the soil in its own way.
• Also, it tends to improve the texture of the soil and enhance the growth of the soil. 
• It has a neutral pH level which makes it a great choice for various vegetables to grow in. 

Worm castings

• Worm castings are another excellent source that is also known as vermicompost. 
• It is highly rich in nutrients that increase the texture of the soil.
• It will not make the soil waterlogged as it has water retention properties. 

Aged manure

• Nutrients are required by the plant to grow healthy so add manure to the soil to enhance the growing capacity of the plant.
• Also, it will help in avoiding burning the plants with excess nitrogen.

Leaf mold

• This type of soil amendment is made up of decomposed leaves. 
• It helps uplift the quality of the soil which makes it the best choice for some vegetables. 
• It also provides minerals to the soil that are required by the plants to grow well. 

Bone meal

• Last but not least, bone meal is another good choice for the soil amendment. 
• It is highly rich in phosphorus which stimulates the growth of various vegetables, especially root veggies. 

Note: Choose the Best alternative soil amendment as per the vegetables, fruits, and plants in your home garden depending on their requirements. 

Summing up the Context

In this guide, you come to know that every vegetable will not grow well in peat moss, they require another soil amendment like manure, compost, worm castings, leaf mold, etc that provides them with the preferred growing conditions. Peat moss is not filled up with the nutrients that are needed by the plants, so do not use them for vegetables that do not like peat moss. 

Some of them are beetroot, cabbage, carrot, peppers, parsnips, radishes etc. Peat moss holds various fertilizing qualities that enhance the growth and development of the plant. However various vegetables do not like peat moss for their growth. So, read the whole guide for its proper understanding.  I will come back with another informative guide soon. Till then safe gardening. 

Thanks for reading! Happy Gardening! 

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