Search
Latest topics
» Spring Flowersby OhioGardener Today at 8:52 am
» What do I do with tomato plants?
by SMEDLEY BUTLER Yesterday at 8:53 pm
» N & C Midwest—May 2024
by OhioGardener Yesterday at 7:14 pm
» Ohio Gardener's Greenhouse
by OhioGardener Yesterday at 7:02 pm
» What Have You Picked From Your Garden Today
by OhioGardener 5/17/2024, 4:09 pm
» Compost not hot
by OhioGardener 5/17/2024, 8:05 am
» First timer in Central Virginia (7b) - newly built beds 2024
by flossy21 5/16/2024, 5:34 pm
» Help me correct my mistakes for next year please
by SMEDLEY BUTLER 5/16/2024, 4:46 pm
» Cabbage worms
by sanderson 5/16/2024, 1:34 am
» Complicated mixed up bunny poop!
by plantoid 5/14/2024, 7:20 pm
» They don't call 'em garden BEDS for nothing.
by sanderson 5/12/2024, 2:34 am
» Birds of the Garden
by OhioGardener 5/7/2024, 8:26 pm
» Greetings from Southport NC
by sanderson 5/6/2024, 4:36 am
» In the news: Biosolids in Texas.
by sanderson 5/6/2024, 4:19 am
» Rhubarb Rhubarb
by Scorpio Rising 5/5/2024, 7:57 pm
» Mark's first SFG
by markqz 5/4/2024, 12:08 am
» question about the digital tools from the sfg site.
by OhioGardener 5/2/2024, 4:50 pm
» Assistance Needed: Sugar Snap Peas Yellowing and Wilting
by Scorpio Rising 5/1/2024, 8:24 pm
» OMG, GMO from an unexpected place.
by sanderson 5/1/2024, 1:57 am
» N & C Midwest: March and April 2024
by Scorpio Rising 4/29/2024, 1:30 pm
» Lovage, has anyone grown, or used
by OhioGardener 4/29/2024, 12:27 pm
» New to SFG in Arlington, Tx
by sanderson 4/26/2024, 3:13 pm
» Soil Blocks: Tutorial In Photos
by OhioGardener 4/25/2024, 5:20 pm
» Manure tea overwintered outside - is it safe to use?
by Mhpoole 4/24/2024, 7:08 pm
» Advice on my blend
by donnainzone5 4/24/2024, 12:13 pm
» Senseless Banter...
by OhioGardener 4/24/2024, 8:16 am
» Kiwi's SFG Adventure
by sanderson 4/22/2024, 2:07 pm
» Sacrificial Tomatoes
by SMEDLEY BUTLER 4/22/2024, 10:36 am
» From the Admin - 4th EDITION of All New Square Foot Gardening is in Progress
by sanderson 4/21/2024, 5:02 pm
» Happy Birthday!!
by AtlantaMarie 4/21/2024, 6:56 am
Google
cocopeat
+7
plantoid
sanderson
donnainzone5
AtlantaMarie
Scorpio Rising
Goosegirl
SeanM
11 posters
Page 1 of 1
cocopeat
I am investigating coco peat as an alternative to peat moss
Is there anything against using this approach.
Thanks
Is there anything against using this approach.
Thanks
SeanM- Posts : 4
Join date : 2013-08-04
Age : 70
Location : Carterton New Zealand
Re: cocopeat
Welcome to the forum SeanM! Coco peat, also known as coir or coconut coir pith, is a perfectly acceptable substitute for peat moss. In some areas rice hulls have been used as well. In the mix, peat moss loosens the mix and does not break down quickly so it keeps the mix loose for years. Coir serves that purpose very well. Type 'coir' into the search box in the top left corner of the webpage and you will find lots of discussion!
Have you read All New Square Foot Gardening 2nd Edition yet? It is a fast and delightful read, and is the basis of the gardening method supported here on the forum.
Again,
Have you read All New Square Foot Gardening 2nd Edition yet? It is a fast and delightful read, and is the basis of the gardening method supported here on the forum.
Again,
Goosegirl- Posts : 3435
Join date : 2011-02-16
Age : 59
Location : Zone 4A - NE SD
Re: cocopeat
Sean! You will find lots of helpful advice here on SFG!
Scorpio Rising- Posts : 8737
Join date : 2015-06-12
Age : 62
Location : Ada, Ohio
Re: cocopeat
Hi Sean. Welcome from Atlanta, GA (SE USA). We're glad you've joined us!
The only question is if you have dogs. Cocopeat can kill them. There have been numerous cases on the internet.
We like photos... And we love to cheer people on and to do experiments with our gardens.
The only question is if you have dogs. Cocopeat can kill them. There have been numerous cases on the internet.
We like photos... And we love to cheer people on and to do experiments with our gardens.
Re: cocopeat
SeanM,
Several years ago, a study was done in Washington State comparing tomatoes started in peat moss vs. those started in coir. The ones planted in peat moss did far better.
You may wish to visit this link at Dave's Garden for further discussion:
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1127572/#b
Several years ago, a study was done in Washington State comparing tomatoes started in peat moss vs. those started in coir. The ones planted in peat moss did far better.
You may wish to visit this link at Dave's Garden for further discussion:
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1127572/#b
Re: cocopeat
Hi Sean, Welcome to the Forum from California, U.S.! Some one from Queensland, AU joined last night. We in the Northern Hemisphere LOVE those of you "down under!" Your gardens are booming while ours are starting to bust with winter approaching. We also love photos so please post your gardening journey.
Coir, washed to remove salts, is an acceptable substitute for peat moss when PM is not available or prohibitive in cost. (basically the same reason because of shipping costs ) The number one ingredient is the Compost from as many different sources as you can find. Many of us make our own. Please feel free to ask questions. We are a gabby and friendly (and benign) group.
Coir, washed to remove salts, is an acceptable substitute for peat moss when PM is not available or prohibitive in cost. (basically the same reason because of shipping costs ) The number one ingredient is the Compost from as many different sources as you can find. Many of us make our own. Please feel free to ask questions. We are a gabby and friendly (and benign) group.
Re: cocopeat
Sean ,
I've been using nutrient added water re-hydrated composted coir waste for nearly five years , it decays a fair bit faster than peat as peat has been aerobically well preserved by the de oxygenated water in the bog over many years .
The nutrients were added for the initial bed filling exercise in some cases as like peat it is bereft of any at the beginning & didn't have enough home made compost to hand .
I have 21 x 9 sq foot or bigger veg beds & 8 x 9 sq ft or bigger flower beds
That said , it is a workable substitute , if you work the beds when it's really wet the vermiculite will disintegrate and combine with the decaying coir to give a fairly dense heavier growing medium that is still good for growing and absorbing water .
Two beds have had lots of coarse woody looking 2 yr old compost added in Feb this year ....... made from mulched leaves , woody plants , mulched twigs and household kitchen waste, plus about 10 pounds of straw bale .
I added at about two & a half cubic feet of it per 9 square feet of bed.
Worked well in during March this year , both beds have given a good account of themselves . One bed with some really big yellow strong eye watering onions and the other bed with lots of celery and some French climbing beans .
I've been using nutrient added water re-hydrated composted coir waste for nearly five years , it decays a fair bit faster than peat as peat has been aerobically well preserved by the de oxygenated water in the bog over many years .
The nutrients were added for the initial bed filling exercise in some cases as like peat it is bereft of any at the beginning & didn't have enough home made compost to hand .
I have 21 x 9 sq foot or bigger veg beds & 8 x 9 sq ft or bigger flower beds
That said , it is a workable substitute , if you work the beds when it's really wet the vermiculite will disintegrate and combine with the decaying coir to give a fairly dense heavier growing medium that is still good for growing and absorbing water .
Two beds have had lots of coarse woody looking 2 yr old compost added in Feb this year ....... made from mulched leaves , woody plants , mulched twigs and household kitchen waste, plus about 10 pounds of straw bale .
I added at about two & a half cubic feet of it per 9 square feet of bed.
Worked well in during March this year , both beds have given a good account of themselves . One bed with some really big yellow strong eye watering onions and the other bed with lots of celery and some French climbing beans .
plantoid- Posts : 4097
Join date : 2011-11-09
Age : 73
Location : At the west end of M4 in the UK
Re: cocopeat
I have never hear that coconut coir is poisonous to dogs. Perhaps you are confusing it with cocoa shell mulch?AtlantaMarie wrote:Hi Sean. Welcome from Atlanta, GA (SE USA). We're glad you've joined us!
The only question is if you have dogs. Cocopeat can kill them. There have been numerous cases on the internet.
We like photos... And we love to cheer people on and to do experiments with our gardens.
https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/poison-control-okay-or-no-way
43 years a gardener and going strong with SFG.
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t3574-the-end-of-july-7-weeks-until-frost
There are certain pursuits which, if not wholly poetic and true, do at least suggest a nobler and finer relation to nature than we know. The keeping of bees, for instance. ~ Henry David Thoreau
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t1306-other-gardening-books
Re: cocopeat
She is. I double-checked. I was pretty out of it when I sent that... You'd think I'd know better....
Re: cocopeat
I know your in New Zealand and this material is not likely to be there yet. However just for info purposes, a company in Pittsburgh, PA. USA has developed a peat moss alternative and it's called Pitt Moss. I was fortunate enough to acquire some at a local greenhouse last season, it is really nice.Everything grew as it should. This Co. is negotiating with some of the big box stores, even had a presence on Shark Tank, an investor reality show. You can see some videos on youtube regarding this product.. I am for it to replace my peat moss when Pitt Moss is available.SeanM wrote:I am investigating coco peat as an alternative to peat moss
Is there anything against using this approach.
Thanks
jimmy cee
Certified SFG Instructor- Posts : 2215
Join date : 2013-02-16
Age : 88
Location : Hatfield PA. zone 6b
Re: cocopeat
The last bit of info I heard was, negotiations were going on with the big box stores.AtlantaMarie wrote:Oh, I remember seeing them, Jimmy. Haven't seen it in stores yet, though...
jimmy cee
Certified SFG Instructor- Posts : 2215
Join date : 2013-02-16
Age : 88
Location : Hatfield PA. zone 6b
Re: cocopeat
According to sfg4ukim, they are still waiting on patent issues. She met the owner in Pittsburgh this past weekend
A WEED IS A FLOWER GROWING IN THE WRONG PLACE
Elizabeth City, NC
Click for weather forecast
walshevak
Certified SFG Instructor- Posts : 4374
Join date : 2010-10-17
Age : 81
Location : wilmington, nc zone 8
cocopeat
Just an update, I ended up using Bark Fines and this worked well.
Early Autumn now so need to consider what to do through this period in the garden. Still having days of 31 degrees though.
Early Autumn now so need to consider what to do through this period in the garden. Still having days of 31 degrees though.
SeanM- Posts : 4
Join date : 2013-08-04
Age : 70
Location : Carterton New Zealand
Re: cocopeat
Sean, Will you be planting a winter garden? If I counted on my fingers correctly, around April 1st you should be able to set out some seedlings.
Re: cocopeat
Make quality compost Sean , lots of it you , just can't have enough of it .SeanM wrote:Just an update, I ended up using Bark Fines and this worked well.
Early Autumn now so need to consider what to do through this period in the garden. Still having days of 31 degrees though.
Make seed lists of stuff you like order them if you don't have any of them , then draw up the sowing charts & plans ready for the off when your new growing season starts .
You'll be surprised how short your winter appears to be when you do the above . Just don't try starting the season off too soon .
plantoid- Posts : 4097
Join date : 2011-11-09
Age : 73
Location : At the west end of M4 in the UK
Re: cocopeat
jimmy cee wrote: However just for info purposes, a company in Pittsburgh, PA. USA has developed a peat moss alternative and it's called Pitt Moss. I was fortunate enough to acquire some at a local greenhouse last season, it is really nice.Everything grew as it should. This Co. is negotiating with some of the big box stores, even had a presence on Shark Tank, an investor reality show. You can see some videos on youtube regarding this product.. I am for it to replace my peat moss when Pitt Moss is available.
Jimmy, how has your experience been with PittMoss since this post? Are you still using it? Has it been a good alternative for Peat or Coir? Advantages/Disadvantages? Cost/Value?
"In short, the soil food web feeds everything you eat and helps keep your favorite planet from getting too hot. Be nice to it." ~ Diane Miessler, "Grow Your Soil"
Re: cocopeat
Ohio ,
Three years ago in 2015 I had a bigger than usual SFG bed that needed a lot of topping up as I used steamed ground up coir in the MM instead of peat ( it rots much faster in the ground than peat )
As the bed had been fed a few months earlier and over wintered in an empty state come spring I topped it up with two bags of steamed wood pulp (aka wood waste with the valuable oils steamed or boiled out of it etc etc.) possibly dosed with a liquid feed good enough for " Up to six weeks growing " as stated on the bag . It looked very similar to Jimmy's pulp stuff & was very easy to mix in . The bed was not due for any more feeding
I mixed it in to the bed a month or more before planting and tried to grow 60 x 3 inch dia yellow onions it . Most grew poorly and flowered , whilst the bulbs stayed very small ( golf ball sized ) even though they were Golden Senshu heat treated Japanese onions which I normally have a great crop of .
Which has led me to believe that it is almost pure wood pulp waste and thus needs a lot of nitrogen & time to rot it down fully before being of much use in an SFG bed .
It will be interesting to hear what Jimmy has to report .
Three years ago in 2015 I had a bigger than usual SFG bed that needed a lot of topping up as I used steamed ground up coir in the MM instead of peat ( it rots much faster in the ground than peat )
As the bed had been fed a few months earlier and over wintered in an empty state come spring I topped it up with two bags of steamed wood pulp (aka wood waste with the valuable oils steamed or boiled out of it etc etc.) possibly dosed with a liquid feed good enough for " Up to six weeks growing " as stated on the bag . It looked very similar to Jimmy's pulp stuff & was very easy to mix in . The bed was not due for any more feeding
I mixed it in to the bed a month or more before planting and tried to grow 60 x 3 inch dia yellow onions it . Most grew poorly and flowered , whilst the bulbs stayed very small ( golf ball sized ) even though they were Golden Senshu heat treated Japanese onions which I normally have a great crop of .
Which has led me to believe that it is almost pure wood pulp waste and thus needs a lot of nitrogen & time to rot it down fully before being of much use in an SFG bed .
It will be interesting to hear what Jimmy has to report .
plantoid- Posts : 4097
Join date : 2011-11-09
Age : 73
Location : At the west end of M4 in the UK
Page 1 of 1
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum