Acidic Sphagnum Moss for Strawberries

Preparing a Bed

• Strawberries are picky about the kind of bed they lie in. They need plenty of space to spread their runners horizontally and soil that is well-draining and will not dry out. Mulching with straw or sphagnum peat moss will create an evenly moist bed with adequately loose soil. Some experts suggest the perfect blend for strawberries is one-half builders sand, one-quarter sphagnum peat moss and one-quarter top soil. This will ensure the bed is free of weeds and that berries remain dry and clean.

Sphagnum Peat Moss

• Sphagnum peat moss is a popular soil additive derived from decomposed peat from bogs. The carbon-rich substance is dense and holds moisture extremely well. Peat moss is acidic because of constant heavy rainfall and standing water present in bog environments, which dissolves minerals and leaves acidic material. It is often applied as an alternative to compost or soil additive for plants that are acid-loving. Strawberries prefer a pH between 6.0 and 6.8, so adding sphagnum peat moss will help the soil stay acidic.

Sphagnum Moss

• Sphagnum moss is the loose, living moss found in peat bogs. Compared with dense, decomposed peat moss, living sphagnum moss does not provide as much rich carbon, although it is acidic. It serves best as a spongy, moisture-trapping material. Sphagnum moss is usually not applied to garden beds, but it is often used in potted plants to retain moisture. Sphagnum moss may be used to keep strawberry plants moist and alive prior to planting, or it may appear in floral arrangements.

Mulching Strawberries

• Adding an organic mulch such as peat moss will provide rich carbon to the soil while keeping the pH below 7. Most composts are slightly alkaline, but continuous additions of acidic substances such as pine needles, peat moss, oak leaves and pine bark will retain acidic soil proper for strawberry production. Reapply mulch as needed over the bed to maintain acidity, since decomposing leaves will slowly make the soil alkaline. Avoid making a layer deeper than 3 inches. Sphagnum peat moss is a popular choice for mulching strawberries, but straw works just as well to conserve moisture and combat weeds.