[Arid_gardener] Moss substitute

[Carolyn Stoffel]

Clair -

As long as you've sent a copy to the list, I'll make my reply public.

> I am in the same place as you making raised beds I will use in a
> "square foot" way.  I have read that coir is a good substitute for
> moss.  It is not hydrophobic like moss and being from coconut trees

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It doesn't have rabies? Oh, I'm so glad. <g>

> I understand you buy the coir in bales/vacuumed packed and then soak
> it and it bulks up.
> 
> I haven't found any yet, but then I haven't really looked either.  I
> don't know what the cons are of coir, I'm sure there must be some as
> there always are.  Maybe someone here will know more about it.

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I've seen it several places in connection with vermicomposting as 
bedding for the worms. Seems pricy, though, but I think $3.50 for dinner 
out is plenty. One place is composters.com.

If I remember correctly, someone was asking about a chipper the other 
day. Composters.com has those as well - $1000 plus $150 shipping. YIKES!

Shortly after I joined several local Freecycle lists, someone was giving 
one away. Amazing! what you'll see offered there, but I swear the good 
things go in minutes. Surprising numbers of working appliance, etc. 
Primary purpose is to reduce the amount of "stuff" that goes to the 
landfills by letting someone else have it.

Carolyn Stoffel