Had to pick between peat moss and coco coir for my soil mix

I was setting up new raised beds this spring for my veggie garden and kept going back and forth on which moisture retainer to use. Peat moss is cheap and works fine but I read about the environmental impact of harvesting it. Coco coir costs about twice as much per bag at my local nursery but it rehydrates way easier and doesn't get that crusty layer on top. I went with coco coir and after 3 months of watering I can tell my tomato plants are staying more consistently moist between waterings. Has anyone else switched and noticed a difference with root growth?

2 comments

2 Comments

wright.jesse10d ago

My bagged potting soil already had peat moss so I never questioned it but this makes me reconsider.

the_kevin10d ago

Stopped buying those mixes years ago. They load it with peat to cut costs, then your soil turns into a water repelling brick after a month. Just grab a bale of coco coir instead, it wets way easier and doesn't mess with the pH as bad. You'll end up with way healthier roots honestly.