Peat Moss vs. Coconut Coir: Are They BOTH Bad?
video description
Date: 2022-07-18
Related videos
Comments and reviews: 15
Modr
CO2 is not a pollutant nor an important greenhouse gas. Plants require CO2 for proper growth. in the '70's our greenhouse studies showed a number of benefits of augmenting atmospheric CO2. At 1, 500ppm plants grew more robust, required less fertilizers, pesticides, and water. ( modern greenhouse agriculture uses this augmentation) The planet is currently in a CO2 drought. Mono cropping such as maize production in the US is huge carbon sinks. During the day CO2 is withdrawn from the atmosphere with CO2 concentrations plummeting to 100-150 ppm by evening. This is one of the reasons farming requires extensive use of nitrogen fertilizers, pesticides, (which are all petroleum bases) and water.
On the other hand, old growth forests such as the Amazon sequester very little CO2. Old growth forests are the compost piles (as are bogs) of the planet, emitting vast quantities of Methane which is far more important Greenhouse gas than CO2. Termites found in Rain forests are the chief contributor of methane on the planet.
I did the math, it checks out.
reply
CO2 is not a pollutant nor an important greenhouse gas. Plants require CO2 for proper growth. in the '70's our greenhouse studies showed a number of benefits of augmenting atmospheric CO2. At 1, 500ppm plants grew more robust, required less fertilizers, pesticides, and water. ( modern greenhouse agriculture uses this augmentation) The planet is currently in a CO2 drought. Mono cropping such as maize production in the US is huge carbon sinks. During the day CO2 is withdrawn from the atmosphere with CO2 concentrations plummeting to 100-150 ppm by evening. This is one of the reasons farming requires extensive use of nitrogen fertilizers, pesticides, (which are all petroleum bases) and water.
On the other hand, old growth forests such as the Amazon sequester very little CO2. Old growth forests are the compost piles (as are bogs) of the planet, emitting vast quantities of Methane which is far more important Greenhouse gas than CO2. Termites found in Rain forests are the chief contributor of methane on the planet.
I did the math, it checks out.
reply
Mathew
The unfortunate truth of the matter is that we will always have an impact on the environment regardless of our intentions. Humans can not coexist with nature without harming it somewhere along the line.
All that we can hope to do is to source less impactful materials whether it be harvesting methods, processing, or transportation.
I myself have an aquaponic system, and I'm currently experimenting with making my own grow plugs by repurposing used mushroom blocks. The thing is, is that regardless of if they're made with strew or woodchips, the blocks need to be made from out sourced materials, that are processed and then transported across great distances.
Your best bet, is to choose a medium that works best for the plants that you want to grow, and then to find a way to reuse what you can instead of acquiring more.
reply
The unfortunate truth of the matter is that we will always have an impact on the environment regardless of our intentions. Humans can not coexist with nature without harming it somewhere along the line.
All that we can hope to do is to source less impactful materials whether it be harvesting methods, processing, or transportation.
I myself have an aquaponic system, and I'm currently experimenting with making my own grow plugs by repurposing used mushroom blocks. The thing is, is that regardless of if they're made with strew or woodchips, the blocks need to be made from out sourced materials, that are processed and then transported across great distances.
Your best bet, is to choose a medium that works best for the plants that you want to grow, and then to find a way to reuse what you can instead of acquiring more.
reply
SixOh_Diesel
I would take Canadian material over India any day of the week. The environmental regulations in North America are far more strict and ACTUALLY ENFORCED. I truly wonder though if it takes 1000's of years for peat to break down, like oil reserves, I'm sure its way more renewable than the elitist environmentalists who fly around in private jets are making it out to be. To me this just seems like another push to discourage everyday people from starting a garden. I have no idea what I'm doing in the garden, thus why I'm here watching this video. That said after watching I'll stick with North American harvested Peat over stuff that comes to us on yet another boat from a far away land where the people are paid pennies per day and their profit overlords care nothing about their people or the environment.
reply
I would take Canadian material over India any day of the week. The environmental regulations in North America are far more strict and ACTUALLY ENFORCED. I truly wonder though if it takes 1000's of years for peat to break down, like oil reserves, I'm sure its way more renewable than the elitist environmentalists who fly around in private jets are making it out to be. To me this just seems like another push to discourage everyday people from starting a garden. I have no idea what I'm doing in the garden, thus why I'm here watching this video. That said after watching I'll stick with North American harvested Peat over stuff that comes to us on yet another boat from a far away land where the people are paid pennies per day and their profit overlords care nothing about their people or the environment.
reply
john
This is very annoying. Communism disguised as saving the planet.
These resources are renewable resources. Same with trees. Millions upon millions of acres of unused land that can be used for sustainable development to include peat. Same with trees in the Pacific Northwest. When I was a kid we had these same types of people crying about cutting down the trees. Claiming they were environmentalists corporate America came up with the plastic bags and plastic milk cartons so thesetypes or eco communists would shut up. Hence we have plastic waste the size of the state of Texas floating around in the ocean.
I wish she would shut up and go away. Conservation that means starving the planet of the evil people.
reply
This is very annoying. Communism disguised as saving the planet.
These resources are renewable resources. Same with trees. Millions upon millions of acres of unused land that can be used for sustainable development to include peat. Same with trees in the Pacific Northwest. When I was a kid we had these same types of people crying about cutting down the trees. Claiming they were environmentalists corporate America came up with the plastic bags and plastic milk cartons so thesetypes or eco communists would shut up. Hence we have plastic waste the size of the state of Texas floating around in the ocean.
I wish she would shut up and go away. Conservation that means starving the planet of the evil people.
reply
Grow
This was such a useful explanation, thank you! I'll reference this in my next video. I always use peat free products and think home made or any organic based composts should do the trick in terms of nutrient content and soil quality. However, if you want something in the middle, have you looked at naturally filtrated peat compost? It is organic (Soil Association approved) re organic/sustainable practice. It collects peat from natural water run off, rather then damaging peat bogs. So obviously the peat content will not be the same as standard peat composts, but you still get some of the benefits of it in a more sustainable way. Moorland Gold is one manufacturer I'm aware of that makes this.
reply
This was such a useful explanation, thank you! I'll reference this in my next video. I always use peat free products and think home made or any organic based composts should do the trick in terms of nutrient content and soil quality. However, if you want something in the middle, have you looked at naturally filtrated peat compost? It is organic (Soil Association approved) re organic/sustainable practice. It collects peat from natural water run off, rather then damaging peat bogs. So obviously the peat content will not be the same as standard peat composts, but you still get some of the benefits of it in a more sustainable way. Moorland Gold is one manufacturer I'm aware of that makes this.
reply
Richard
Peat needs to be seen as a non - renewable resource. Using peat releases carbon which has been locked into the environment. Coir in the UK is not the answer as in addition to worries mentioned above it needs to be imported from half way around the earth. Compost from composted bark needs development still as I have too many seeds germinate, and then disappear and die, outcompeted by fungus. Leaf mould is good but who can make enough? It is hard to be peat free but using peat cannot be the shortcut to growing. Perhaps every garden of a certain size should, by law have a compost heap which can be used in the garden or passed on to others who need it.
reply
Peat needs to be seen as a non - renewable resource. Using peat releases carbon which has been locked into the environment. Coir in the UK is not the answer as in addition to worries mentioned above it needs to be imported from half way around the earth. Compost from composted bark needs development still as I have too many seeds germinate, and then disappear and die, outcompeted by fungus. Leaf mould is good but who can make enough? It is hard to be peat free but using peat cannot be the shortcut to growing. Perhaps every garden of a certain size should, by law have a compost heap which can be used in the garden or passed on to others who need it.
reply
Dan
The last two years I've tried starting my superhot peppers indoors in a mix of coir, compost, and perlite. They grew fairly well but all displayed signs of severe calcium deficiency. This wasn't something I experienced in years past when I was starting plants in peat-based media. I came to find out that coir should be buffered before use, as the excess sodium and potassium in the coir can cause calcium lockout.
It's a pretty straightforward process but it's something to be aware of if your plants are performing as you would usually expect. I'd suggest either buffering or regular application of cal/mag if growing in coir.
reply
The last two years I've tried starting my superhot peppers indoors in a mix of coir, compost, and perlite. They grew fairly well but all displayed signs of severe calcium deficiency. This wasn't something I experienced in years past when I was starting plants in peat-based media. I came to find out that coir should be buffered before use, as the excess sodium and potassium in the coir can cause calcium lockout.
It's a pretty straightforward process but it's something to be aware of if your plants are performing as you would usually expect. I'd suggest either buffering or regular application of cal/mag if growing in coir.
reply
BigolJoe
Thank you all for this video. I had no idea that peat took so long to renew, or that it was being taken from wild sources like this. I was under the impression that it was farmed because its just broken down plant matter. I figured it was a process like composting wherein they'd grow the moss, harvest it and then stick it in pile to break down.
I'll definitely be using other materials in the future.
Thanks again for helping to get this info out. I know there are probably still SO MANY people just like me that didnt realize they were helping to do this kind of damage to fragile ecosystems.
reply
Thank you all for this video. I had no idea that peat took so long to renew, or that it was being taken from wild sources like this. I was under the impression that it was farmed because its just broken down plant matter. I figured it was a process like composting wherein they'd grow the moss, harvest it and then stick it in pile to break down.
I'll definitely be using other materials in the future.
Thanks again for helping to get this info out. I know there are probably still SO MANY people just like me that didnt realize they were helping to do this kind of damage to fragile ecosystems.
reply
Paulo
Interesting how this woman in the video discourages the use of Peat Moss for gardening when Canadians are some of the biggest producers of Oil, Wood, Copper, Phosphate, Zinc, Lead and others natural resources that have a much greater effect on the environment than the Peat Moss industry. Hmm?
I think the key concept is to 'control' the use of our natural resources in a way that we allow nature to replenish what is taken. In the case of Canada, I just think we need some limits and regulations to deal with the issue of Peat Moss depletion.
reply
Interesting how this woman in the video discourages the use of Peat Moss for gardening when Canadians are some of the biggest producers of Oil, Wood, Copper, Phosphate, Zinc, Lead and others natural resources that have a much greater effect on the environment than the Peat Moss industry. Hmm?
I think the key concept is to 'control' the use of our natural resources in a way that we allow nature to replenish what is taken. In the case of Canada, I just think we need some limits and regulations to deal with the issue of Peat Moss depletion.
reply
Sean
I really appreciate the effort that went into this video. I used black soil blended with peat moss when I first put in my beds, but I dont supplement with it. Typically just adding compost every year is all I do and the soil is still very healthy. With such small a scale I garden on (about 200 square feet) I cant help but feel like the small amount I used the initial prep is very terrible. That being said, I look forward to the video of the peat free soil mix for future grow bags and potted plant applications.
reply
I really appreciate the effort that went into this video. I used black soil blended with peat moss when I first put in my beds, but I dont supplement with it. Typically just adding compost every year is all I do and the soil is still very healthy. With such small a scale I garden on (about 200 square feet) I cant help but feel like the small amount I used the initial prep is very terrible. That being said, I look forward to the video of the peat free soil mix for future grow bags and potted plant applications.
reply
weedfreer
I've seen that sugar cane fibres are used in places like Australia. as in the husks left over after extracting the sugary pulp within the cane.
Not sure as to their availability elsewhere in the world. However, it seems to me to be an almost perfect solution to the issue.
People extract what they need from the cane and then the husks, rather than being burnt or similar are used to bed out our veg patches or as bulk in a raised bed.
reply
I've seen that sugar cane fibres are used in places like Australia. as in the husks left over after extracting the sugary pulp within the cane.
Not sure as to their availability elsewhere in the world. However, it seems to me to be an almost perfect solution to the issue.
People extract what they need from the cane and then the husks, rather than being burnt or similar are used to bed out our veg patches or as bulk in a raised bed.
reply
Jeff
15 Years we will be in an Ice Age, so not to worry about the global warning b. s. The atmosphere actually needs more carbon. Now do a special on coco coir in the different countries as they have their downfalls on the environment also. They still haven't even gotten to over half of all the bogs in Canada. No need to worry, Canada's weather system is going to change drastically in the next 12 to 20 years. Overall, great video. Good Job.
reply
15 Years we will be in an Ice Age, so not to worry about the global warning b. s. The atmosphere actually needs more carbon. Now do a special on coco coir in the different countries as they have their downfalls on the environment also. They still haven't even gotten to over half of all the bogs in Canada. No need to worry, Canada's weather system is going to change drastically in the next 12 to 20 years. Overall, great video. Good Job.
reply
BracesandBoots1
I wonder if we should consider reusing more of the potting soils. I throw the stuff into my compost pile by the wheel barrow full. Primarily because I'm afraid of pathogen's when I'm potting up something new, or especially seed starting. Might it be more environmentally friendly to re-sterilize it in an oven? Is there a way to do that efficiently?
reply
I wonder if we should consider reusing more of the potting soils. I throw the stuff into my compost pile by the wheel barrow full. Primarily because I'm afraid of pathogen's when I'm potting up something new, or especially seed starting. Might it be more environmentally friendly to re-sterilize it in an oven? Is there a way to do that efficiently?
reply
Gene
Where I live almost all substrates for hobbyists is compost/coconut/wood, but professionals use peat based soils. Most of the hobby soils are absolute garbage and horribly overpriced. Quality is fluctuating so much its very difficult to produce seedlings with consistent quality for the garden. So folks probably end up buying the seedlings, in peat. Success
reply
Where I live almost all substrates for hobbyists is compost/coconut/wood, but professionals use peat based soils. Most of the hobby soils are absolute garbage and horribly overpriced. Quality is fluctuating so much its very difficult to produce seedlings with consistent quality for the garden. So folks probably end up buying the seedlings, in peat. Success
reply
john
It gets 110 where I am at and the Peat helps retain water, that we are sorely not getting in my area. Plus there are reports that Coconut production is helping with killing biodiversity as they clear out the undesired plants and trees to plant more Coconut Trees. So no matter what we do, we are doomed through our own greed.
reply
It gets 110 where I am at and the Peat helps retain water, that we are sorely not getting in my area. Plus there are reports that Coconut production is helping with killing biodiversity as they clear out the undesired plants and trees to plant more Coconut Trees. So no matter what we do, we are doomed through our own greed.
reply
Add a review, comment
Other channel videos
