Coconut coir growing medium
 comes from the coconut's  fibrous husk (known  as coir) that is bound 
together by lignin (known as  pith). After the  husk is immersed in 
water for 6 weeks, the fiber is  extracted  mechanically, and the pith 
is left behind as a waste product  and stored  in heaps to age. Since 
the pith comes from the fruit, it is  quite  naturally rich in 
nutrients. Coconut coir growing mediums are  dehydrated  and compressed 
into a compact form for easy handling. With  the addition  of water, 
coir expands to an easy to work with growing  medium. The  addition of 
water increases the volume 3 to 9 times,  depending on the  packaging of
 products. This process results in a 100%  organic,  biodegradable 
growing medium, making it a natural and safe  growth medium  of choice 
for growers.
NEW at Mary's Heirloom Seeds:1.5 pounds compressed brick
Add water to increase volume 3 to 9 times!
Coconut Coir bricks ship out after April 18th
PRE-ORDER your Coconut Coir Bricks NOW thru April 18th and receive 2 ounces of Organic Azomite FREE!  
 -Unlike peat moss, which is highly acidic, coconut coir has a neutral 
pH  level. Most garden vegetables and flowers grow best in neutral to  
slightly alkaline conditions. When you use peat to amend a garden bed,  
an addition of agricultural lime is often necessary to combat the higher
  acidity. With coconut coir, limestone isn't necessary unless the soil 
 naturally has a higher pH level. Coir use results in both a monetary 
and  a labor savings, since you don't need to purchase further pH 
amendments  nor work them into the soil. 
 
 -Coir
 improves soil drainage in the bed while also helping to retain  
moisture in quick-draining soils. Since coir breaks down slowly, much  
like peat, it creates air pockets in the soil that allow excess moisture
  to drain away from plant roots. The coir itself holds onto some  
moisture so the drainage doesn't occur too quickly and the soil doesn't 
 dry out completely. These dual drainage and retention properties allow 
 coir to improve moisture management in both heavy clay soils and dry,  
sandy beds.  
 -Peat moss, which coir replaces as a soil 
amendment, takes centuries to  regrow once harvested. Coir is completely
 sustainable since it is a  natural byproduct of coconut harvests, and 
coconut trees produce new  coconuts every year. Using the coir in the 
garden keeps it out of the  landfill where it would otherwise go. Coir 
can take a century or longer  to fully break down in these landfills, so
 it's more sustainable to use  it to improve your garden soil.  
 If you have additional questions about  getting started or would like 
more info please feel free to ask.  As  always, I am happy to help.
 
Sounds like some good stuff! I hope you'll come share this outdoor post on this week's Maple Hill Hop!
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