Almost everyone knows peat, but many hardly know anything about it. We would therefore like to introduce this product from our portfolio a little more closely.
Peat is slowly decomposed plant material in very humid areas or bogs. More precisely, peat is a form of humus that is formed from dead bog plants due to the lack of oxygen under water and the acidic pH value. It is light, fibrous and loose, so that air and water can easily reach the roots of plants, which is why it is ideally suited for loosening and as a water reservoir for garden soil. Peat is also often used as bedding in animal stables.
There are 5 types of peat: White peat, brown peat, black peat, milled peat and sod peat. Peat from fens is strongly acidic (pH value 2.5 – 7.5), highly destroyed and rich in oxygen. Peat from raised bogs is also strongly acidic (pH value 2.5 – 3.5), but in comparison less destroyed and low in nutrients.
White peat is particularly popular. It is mainly used as a fertiliser substitute in blueberry and asparagus cultivation. Due to its low pH value and very good water and air retention, it is one of the most important basic substrate materials, optimal properties especially for use at blueberry plantations. White peat is also frequently used in fattening facilities for chickens. For this purpose, it is spread into the coops with a spreader. The pre-incubated eggs are then placed and remain in the peat for 38 days. It is important that the peat is delivered at the right time, as the coop must be cleaned, prepared and then left empty for 7-10 days before the chicks hatch 3 days later.
However, those who would like to avoid the use of peat for various reasons can fall back on an equally suitable alternative: bark mulch made from untreated, shredded bark. This is used, for example, in many farms to cover plants. Bark mulch also stimulates humus formation and keeps the root zone moist. The best choice is bark mulch from conifers. Peat substitute products are also particularly interesting as an alternative for soil-producing companies, as peat extraction in Germany will only be permitted under strict conditions from 2026. These include products such as coconut products, cocoa shells, ash, wood fibres, products made from renewable raw materials (e.g. wood chips) as well as bark humus and compost.
Whether peat, peat substitute products or cane bark, we at the Brüning Group are happy to supply you with the desired material and have an excellent network at our disposal. We cooperate with several loading points, throughout Germany and Europe, and can thus offer different qualities of the respective material depending on your wishes and needs. In this context, it goes without saying that carriers we can rely on are also enormously important, as the products often have to be delivered on time. We attach great importance to a good cooperation with our customers and our highest credo is to be a reliable business partner.