Should I avoid starting seeds in peat pots?

 

Best seed starting experiment: zucchini

Now that we’re well into June I can see the clear winners among the seeds I started about a month ago. My tomatoes are still infants, but my zucchini, acorn squash, cilantro and another leafy thing I forgot to label are looking promising. I have no idea if my efforts will bear fruit (or vegetables), but if they don’t, that’s OK, I like visiting farmers’ markets, where the professionals can show off their wares. 

I was thinking about the peat pots I used to start some of my seeds. These, of course, must be made from peat, and peat bogs, the source of course, are environmentally sensitive areas. The last thing I’d want is to pay for the rem0val of peat from a healthy ecosystem like a peat bog, common in Europe and parts of Canada. 

On the other hand, most plastic plant pots are not recyclable, although some garden centres, such as Loblaw garden centres and Sheridan Nurseries, take them back.

But a few plants I’ve purchased lately have come in pots made with coir or with coconut fibre, materials I can compost when the pots break down. These seem like great options, especially if they’re the remnant material from other manufacturing or food production. 

Have you found other interesting pot materials? Are your seedlings growing well for you?

For some terrific gardening tips, have a look at this story on Homemakers.com.

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