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"Farming
in the wild, in harmony with nature." |
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Sphagnum Moss grows naturally in the swamplands of the West
Coast of the South Island, New Zealand. The annual rainfall
in this area is 300 inches with a temperate climate - the
ideal growing conditions for our variety of moss - Sphagnum
Cristatum. Sphagnum
Moss grows in a dense mat to a length of about two feet.
When harvesting, only the moss above the water level is taken,
so the plant can continue to grow and be harvested again in
three to five years.
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The heavy bags of wet moss are lifted out of the swamp by helicopter,
thus eliminating any environmental damage to the swamp. With most
swamps being on Department of Conversation (DOC) land, the moss
resource is well managed. Permits to harvest are required and DOC
staff oversee harvesting operations.
This is a unique feature of the New Zealand moss industry where
private enterprise and a Government agency (DOC) work together to
ensure that the moss supply remains a sustainable renewable resource
for the benefit of the environment and industry.
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