Expanding Soil

Discussion in 'Crops & Gardens' started by Maggie Mae, Jul 16, 2019.

  1. Maggie Mae

    Maggie Mae Veteran Member
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  2. Don Alaska

    Don Alaska Supreme Member
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    @Maggie Mae it appears to be coir, a coconut byproduct that is in vogue among organic growers who are worried about depleting peat stocks. It works okay, but when I have used it, I didn't find it as satisfactory as peat. It didn't bind as well and it didn't hold onto moisture as well. If you have clay soil, it is supposed to be great, as it markedly improves drainage. It has no nutrient value, so it is only a planting medium or soil improver (in heavy soils).
     
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  3. Bess Barber

    Bess Barber Veteran Member
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    I know this is the product used in most composting toilets. I saw it on YouTube while checking out tiny houses. :)
     
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  4. Don Alaska

    Don Alaska Supreme Member
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    Hardwood sawdust usually can also be used for that, but perhaps it is not as convenient.
     
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  5. Ken Anderson

    Ken Anderson Senior Staff
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    I use a different brand of that for my worm bins because it stores well, and in a small container. One small brick expands to be enough for one worm bin. I'm sure it would work in my lingonberry patch too, but peat moss is cheaper.

    IMG_0267.jpg
     
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  6. Beth Gallagher

    Beth Gallagher Supreme Member
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    Yep. Lots of RVers are having composting toilets installed to get rid of the black tank.
     
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  7. Maggie Mae

    Maggie Mae Veteran Member
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    Thanks for all of your replies :) We do have horrible soil .. lots of clay so that is why this intrigued me. Kind of a way to keep it "looser" . I did see that it says it should be good for about 2 years before it's broken down. So perhaps some of this as well as peat would be a good choice.

    Again ..thanks for all of the input .. it's very much appreciated.
     
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  8. Ken Anderson

    Ken Anderson Senior Staff
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    It probably would. Although shredded coconut may not be rich in soil nutrients in its own right, I would think it would have some. Regardless, the nutrients will come to it once its mixed with the soil. When mixed with mulch, compost, or manure, clay soil can be more easily used for gardening, so this would work too.
     
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  9. Tom Galty

    Tom Galty Veteran Member
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    In England if you have a heavy clay soil you plant potatoes.

    Next year horse shit spreed in winter you plant potatoes again

    After 3 years the clay on the most part will go and you can grow other things
     
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  10. Ken Anderson

    Ken Anderson Senior Staff
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    I wish coal ash were as easy as clay.
     
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  11. Beth Gallagher

    Beth Gallagher Supreme Member
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    I've never planted potatoes in my garden, but one year I had a fine crop of "volunteers." I had put potato peels and a few spotty potatoes in my compost bin, and after using the compost I got some gorgeous potato vines. I harvested several little taters from that, but never again.
     
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