The Canadian Difference
Canada is a highly selective, sustainable and regulated industry. To ensure your peat is sourced responsibly, look for peat that has been sourced from Canada.
The Canadian peat used for gardening in the U.S. is collected from fields very carefully using vacuum harvesters, which collect fibers from about a 1/4 inch top layer. In total, only about a 2- to 3-inch layer (approximately the length of a credit card) of peat may be harvested for a site in one year. To put this in context, one bog will supply peat for 30-50 years.
The Canadian government is extremely selective about which companies it leases peatlands to, and the approval process takes approximately 18 months. Thanks to its sustainable and respected harvesting methods, Jiffy has been able to lease its Canadian peatlands for 20+ years. Importantly, any company - including Jiffy – approved to harvest peat in Canada must also commit to fully restoring its bogs after they have been harvested. Learn more about the restoration process.
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Jiffy is also a member of the Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association (CSPMA), a governing body which is advised by internationally recognized research bodies to establish responsible management practices. All members of the CSPMA adhere to a Preservation and Reclamation Policy that encourages harmonious cohabitation with the communities where they operate and continuous improvement of their practices.
That includes adherence to The Certification for Responsibly Managed Peatlands – an international first – which guarantees the application of good management practices in all aspects of sustainable development. The program is administered by an independent certification agency, the Scientific Certification Systems, which is one of the most recognized agencies in North America and is an annex to the Veriflora Standard.