My peat compost has been shrinking away from the sides of the pot for two summers: the day I dropped it in a bucket, I saw what had been happening underneath
For two summers, a gardener watched water vanish into thin air—until dropping the pot revealed the truth: a hidden gap between the compost and container wall, creating a bypass that leaves roots parched. This common but misunderstood problem stems from peat’s own chemistry and has a surprisingly simple mechanical fix.