Garden Advice

Greener Potting Media for Greener Plants: Why We Choose PittMoss

While our team is constantly implementing the latest best industry practices to produce the best products possible, every now and then something comes along that feels like a big change instead of incremental improvement. This Spring is one such moment: we are changing our standard growing media from a traditional peat-based mix to PittMoss. This innovative potting media makes for better plants and more sustainable production. Let’s walk through why PittMoss has become such an integral part of our operation and how it benefits our plants, our customers, and the Earth.

A Leap Towards Water Wisdom

At Greenstreet Growers, we’re always searching for smarter ways to use water. With PittMoss, we’ve found our oasis. The natural fiber structure of PittMoss is super absorbent, holding about twice as much water as traditional peat mixes. Its incredible ability to retain moisture means our plants stay hydrated longer, with fewer waterings. This not only saves precious water but ensures our plants are consistently lush, reducing stress and promoting vigorous growth. At the same time, the structure of PittMoss maintains a porous structure for air to move through the entire root-zone even at peak water-capacity. In many settings, especially containers and hanging baskets, higher water capacity will mean less frequent maintenance visits, cutting down manhours and vehicle miles.

The Nutrient Balancing Act

Getting the right nutrients to plants is always something of a balancing act. The most common approach leads to excessive fertilizer use and lots of nutrients lost in runoff. PittMoss changes the game here. The specific chemical and physical structure of the PittMoss fibers are optimal for ion exchange. The media holds nutrients well and readily gives them to the plants at need. By reducing watering frequency, PittMoss also reduces the amount of nutrients washed away during maintenance watering. By switching to PittMoss, we are able to provide a more consistent, efficient nutrient supply to our plants, making them healthier and more robust. It’s like PittMoss speaks the language of plants, delivering exactly what they need, when they need it.

A Soft Landing for Transplants

We all know the challenges of transplant shock. Because of it’s water retention and root-zone air-circulation properties, plants grown in PittMoss adjust faster and with less stress when moving to their new homes. This resilience means happier plants and a smoother transition from our greenhouse to your garden or landscape. It’s part of our commitment to ensuring your success.

Peat-Free: For the Planet’s Sake

Moving away from peat was a two-part conscious decision to reduce our use of a non-renewable product and to decouple our supply chain from the inreasinly volatile and expensive Canadian peat industry. At it’s core, PittMoss uses fibers from post-industrial cardboard waste to make a highly-adsorbent natural fiber matrix with phsical and chemical properties that out-perform peat and peat alternatives like coir. These PittMoss fibers are mixed with other potting media ingredients to achieve optimal root-zone conditions for different applications. At Greenstreet Growers, our main PittMoss mix contains approximately equal portions of PittMoss, composted southern pine bark, and Canadian peat. All of this means PittMoss is a more sustainable, reduced-peat alternative that benefits our plants and also the environment. It’s about making responsible choices that align with our commitment to sustainability, ensuring that our growing practices contribute positively to the planet and our partners.

Reducing Our Carbon Footprint, One Plant at a Time

PittMoss’s journey from post-industrial waste cardboard to a vital part of our growing operation highlights an incredible story of upcycling and sustainability. This choice significantly reduces our carbon footprint, turning what was once low-value waste into a valuable resource for growth. We are proud to partner with PittMoss to make their story part of our own, epitomizing our belief that every small step towards sustainability leads to a greener future.

Lightening the Load

Anyone who’s handled traditional potting mixes knows they can be backbreakingly heavy. PittMoss’s lightweight nature is a game-changer, making daily tasks easier and expanding the possibilities for gardening projects, especially in settings where weight is a concern (think: hanging baskets and container gardens). It’s proof that good things come in light packages.

USA-based and Sustainable

PittMoss is made in the USA from post-industrial materials and aligns perfectly with our values of supporting local economies and minimizing negative environmental impacts. By choosing PittMoss, we are not just nurturing plants; we’re nurturing our community and the environment we share.

Adopting PittMoss in our greenhouse operations at Greenstreet Growers wasn’t just a shift in the material we use; it was a step towards embodying our grow green values. This choice has ripple effects beyond our greenhouse—conserving water, reducing chemical use, and fostering stronger, more resilient plant life, all while cutting back on waste and emissions. Each plant grown in PittMoss represents a tangible contribution to a healthier planet. It’s about creating a legacy of sustainability that you can bring home to your customers and family. For greener plants and a greener planet, stick with us at Greenstreet Growers as we continue to explore, innovate, and grow with PittMoss.

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