In Eastern Canada, peat moss is usually harvested from May to September. During this period, inventory is built for the entire year.

There are several steps in the process of peat moss harvesting and production:

The area is first drained to deplete the water and dry the peat moss, making it easier for the heavy machinery to prepare the field for harvesting. Ditches are dug at 30-metre (98-foot) intervals using a wheel ditcher.

The bog is then cleared of all vegetation such as bushes, small trees and shrubs.

Once the bog is well drained, the peat moss is conditioned using specialized equipment: rototillers, harrows, and machinery specifically designed for the peat moss industry.

The peat moss is harvested by specially designed vacuums (approximately 5 to 12 cm (2 to 5 inches) of peat moss are harvested per year). It is then piled in the field for a short period of time before being inventoried in Skyscraper format or bagged.

The peat moss is then taken to the plant to be screened, categorized, bagged, and palletized. Each bag or Skyscraper is then identified with a unique code.

Finally, the product is stored in bag or Skyscraper format. The method of storing peat in Skyscraper format was developed by Berger Peat Moss for environmental and economic reasons. Furthermore, it prevents self-heating of the peat, which can occur when peat is stockpiled for long periods. The Skyscraper allows quality fibrous peat moss to be preserved with all of its beneficial properties. During the winter season, the inventory is covered with plastic film to protect it against wet weather conditions.

Uses for Peat Moss
Canadian sphagnum peat moss is a natural organic product that can be used to produce multiple growing mixes when combined with other components and/or fertilizers. Peat is also used in biofiltration technologies and as a hydrocarbon sorbent.

Restoring Peat Bogs
Unlike mineral resources, peat moss is a slowly renewable resource and it is harvested in a sustainable manner in Canada. In unexploited bogs, it accumulates ten times faster than it is harvested. Through careful management, we can avoid depletion and ensure sustainable development.

Strict environmental regulations govern the use of peat moss resources in Canada. The industry aims for sustainable development of the resource. It works hard to respect regulations and return worked bogs to their natural state. These ecosystems can regenerate within five to twenty years, depending on the extent to which they have been worked. The industry also actively contributes to studies and research aimed at accelerating restoration methods.

As one of Canada’s leading peat moss producers, Berger plays an active role in the discussions and decisions concerning the conservation, restoration, and regeneration of the resource, while respecting the plant and animal life that peat bogs support.

To learn more about the use, conservation, and regeneration of Canada’s peat bogs, Berger invites you to go to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for a wealth of information on these topics.