ABSTRACT
In Canada and in Northern Europe, organic soils are of great importance in vegetable and
tree production and for harvesting sphagnum peat moss. They are typically found in wetland
environments, rich in wildlife activities, constituting specific ecosystems hosting a unique
biodiversity. They have for a long time been recognized as soil systems requiring specific
management techniques when used for vegetable and tree production. Some peat bogs are
also used for sphagnum peat moss production, a dominant component of growing media
around the world. Because of the nature and characteristics of organic soils, specific
methodologies related either to the context of wetland use and preservation, to their use
for cultivation and tree planting or to the design and manufacturing of organically based
growing media have had to be designed over the years. These next two chapters summarize
some of these methods.