alternatives to peat moss?

topic posted Fri, May 1, 2009 - 12:34 PM by 
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Hi all,

I'm interested in doing more container gardening and though I've never used peat moss in soil mixtures for environmental reasons, I keep reading that it seems to be a major part of many people's mixes. I assume it's for some form of moisture retention.

What alternatives are there?
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  • Re: alternatives to peat moss?

    Fri, May 1, 2009 - 4:24 PM
    Coir.
    • Re: alternatives to peat moss?

      Fri, May 1, 2009 - 4:50 PM
      I've never used peat moss in containers. I add a layer of gravel in the bottom and then some sharp sand and plenty of compost and composted manure. I don't know the purpose peat moss serves, but my plants have been just fine without it for years.
      • Re: alternatives to peat moss?

        Fri, May 1, 2009 - 5:49 PM
        NAMASTE



        Coco Peat is great.Coco Peat makes an excellent growing medium for hydroponics, soil mixes, and container plant growing. This clean coir has natural rooting hormones and anti-fungal properties. It is a 100% organic product.


        Coco peat can be used in seed starting mixes, bedding plants, planters, soil mixes, gardens, container plants. Anywhere you would use peat moss. The properties of Coco Peat make it resistant to bacterial and fungal growth.

        Coco Peat holds water rather than shedding it like traditional peat does! It holds 8-9 times it's weight in water.

        Coco Peat has the ability to store and release nutrient to plants for extended periods of time. It also has great oxygenation properties which is important for healthy root development.

        It has a pH of 5.0-6.8 which is neutral to slightly acidic. This makes it great for alkaline garden soils.

        Easy to use! Just put your compressed Coco Peat brick in a container, add 4 quarts of warm water and let it sit until the water is absorbed, fluff it up and you are ready to use Coco Peat!

        Coco Peat can even be reused for up to 4 years!

        Vermiculture: Coco peat makes a great bedding material for worm bins! It's actually good for them and increases worm growth by 25%.

        Coco Peat is very slow to disintegrate, whereas peat breaks down within two years after application. Coco Peat only begins to break down when it is 10 years old.


        In Love and Light

        Naveen
      • Re: alternatives to peat moss?

        Fri, May 1, 2009 - 10:16 PM
        I too never put peat moss in my containers and use gravel as well as compost and manure. I create a soil mix that is mixed and too have put sand in the mix. I really do not think anything else is necessary for container gardening. Just be sure you have soil that drains well and most plants are quite happy.
        Blessings
        Linda

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