[Arid_gardener] Coir

[Carolyn Stoffel]

Olin -

> While surfing the web for information, I found some confusing and
> conflicting information about coco(a) mulch..  I thought I would pass
> on what I think I learned hoping the information would be helpful to
> others and also to invite comments from others who have more
> experience with the products.

-----

Upon reading this at the crack of dawn (my definition), I dashed out 
into the freezing cold, car keys in hand. The label was, of course, on 
the bottom, and last, side I looked at. It .is. coconut.

True, chocolate contains theobromine and can be fatal to dogs (I know 
little about cats). The effects are an interaction of the kind of 
chocolate, the amount eaten, the dog's size, and the dog's individual 
sensitivity to theobromine.

Something else that has resulted in canine deaths is raisins. Again, 
depending upon the quantity and sensitivity. Last I heard, the dangerous 
component was uncertain, but iron was suspected.

Did I mention that the seeds I ordered last Sunday arrived from the East 
Coast on Wednesday and Thursday? Several days earlier than I expected.

I'm looking at a deep raised bed created out of concrete block. Trouble 
is, looks like almost 1200 pounds of block and I'm making inquiries 
about that size load in my car. Of course, I can make two or three trips 
if necessary. Then I'll need more vermiculite, compost, etc.

I did consider just dumping a load of manure in the bottom (every once 
in awhile someone will post manure or fill dirt - or even concrete block 
- on Freecycle or craigslist, but not, of course, when I'm looking for 
it), then covering it with a foot or two of "other stuff".

Carolyn Stoffel