Longwood Plantation: Peat Processing

The Peat Processing

Longwood Prime Peat is triple-refined to insure that a consistent product is available to the customer on a day-to-day basis. It is prepared using a method similar to that used for centuries in Ireland.

This lush vegetation is peat in the making.

Preparing the site: A drainage ditch is dug at the deep side of the bog so it can be drained. Water from the trench is pumped to another pond nearby.

The pond after trenching

The surface vegetation is removed following the completion of the drainage ditch.

Harrowing the surface of the pond.	Part of the peat pond being roto-tilled.

To reduce the moisture in the top layer of the bog, the upper-most layer is first harrowed to loosen and enhance drying of the top layer.	It is then roto-tilled to chop up the fibrous material. This process also further enhances drying.

Skimming surface of the peat	Building the peat pile

Consistency is achieved as a result of skimming off the top layer by dragging a box blade across the top layer of peat	The loose, fluffy material is piled up so it can easily be scooped up and run through a screener.

In the final process, the peat is screened, using variable screens sizes depending on customer’s desired particle size.

Peat being loaded for transport to the screener.	Preparing to screen the peat.

Final screening

Close-up of peat coming off conveyor