Question Coconut Coir, any good for filling beds?

[Accolyte]

Hello Everyone,

First two pre-apologies: I'm new to the forum pages, so I hope this is the appropriate one to ask my question.
I did have a brief look but didn't find a thread that seemed to relate to my question, apologies if I missed it

My question is whether or not coconut coir is useful as a filler for a new raised bed? I understand that it is poor in nutrients, but would it work if I added manure, compost and other nutrient rich material? Is there a better filling material available? Peat is not an option for me as it is not sustainable and also not available where I live.

I look forward to reading your advice.

 

[Mandy Onderwater]

This thread works fine
And sometimes starting a new thread about a similar subject doesn't hurt, as more people have joined since and might know more about said topic.

Coconut coir is actually quite commonly used in The Netherlands, I believe it to be naturally sterile. It does not contain many nutrients, but it can be a great base to start with. I've personally seen it used in many ways; most commonly to keep dirt in hanging planters, whilst still providing plenty drainage. I've also seen it used as mulch on top of dirt to lessen evaporation and as a weed supressant.
I imagine it could be similar to growing in haybales. Have you ever seen videos on that? If not I can source some

 

[KIGardening]

My experience anything is suitable as organic filler in the bottom of a raised garden bed!

What I haven't tried is to use it as mulch..... mhhh maybe a great idea for you to try it. Unfortunate I don't have coconut coir available to try it.

 

[Mandy Onderwater]

@Accolyte , managed to get your hands on some yet?

 

[Accolyte]

Not as yet, I'm still thinking/planning what to do. I've been looking at some raised bed planters in a similar style to Mark's. The Birdy's are a bit costly to deliver to here when you factor in shipping. It looks like the person who seemed very interested in our property has changed her mind, so I may go for a more permanent set up.
On the bright side my old, shop bought potatoes are coming along nicely, although my new tomato plants seem to have a bit of leaf curl as the rainy season seems to have hit early this year.

 

[Mandy Onderwater]

That's fair.
Is it more feasable for you to build your own raised beds? I've even seen people make low rased beds out of pallet wood (make sure they are untreated/food safe).

Birdies are pricy, but as you can see, Mark still has the same beds he bought over 15 years ago. So if you're looking for longevity - they appear to stand the test of time.
Mathematically, say a bed costs AU$250. It's so far lasted 15 years, and definitely looks like it's going to last a good while longer. So 250:12:15 means the bed costs him AU$1.39 a month or AU$16.67 a year. When you look at it that way, it's not that big an expense anymore. And when you are in full growing season, you can easily save more than AU$1.39 a month, meaning any food grown above that amount is profit.
Yes, the beds will have a high initial investment cost. But it does pay itself back over time. I reckon Mark's bed easily has another 5 or 10 years left - likely even more. So saying it lasts 25 years, so long as you grow more than AU$10 a year (which a single tomato plant can pull off easily), you're paying back for your investment. On top of that Birdies beds have a 5 year warranty. So if any issue would arise, it likely would within that timeframe and you can reach out to the company.
I have done this math before, as I'm looking into getting them for myself as well

 

[Accolyte]

Hi Mandy,

Many thanks for your in depth reply. I have since seen Mark's video where he says that the beds are available in the U.S. which would reduce the shipping costs, I'll look in to that. I am also looking in to the possibility of building my own, which by my calculations would cost around $100AUD.
I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[Mandy Onderwater]

Sounds pretty good! If you need examples or simply wish for some inspiration, I'm happy to source some

 

[Mandy Onderwater]

A cheap way to start out with raised beds might be repurposing old wooden pallets. A lot of places here even give them away for free! Just make sure they've not been treated with anything toxic (it should be branded/labeled).
And as they decompose over the years, you can compost them down and make use of them in the garden once more.

 

[Accolyte]

A cheap way to start out with raised beds might be repurposing old wooden pallets. A lot of places here even give them away for free! Just make sure they've not been treated with anything toxic (it should be branded/labeled).
And as they decompose over the years, you can compost them down and make use of them in the garden once more.

Hi Mandy,

Many thanks for the suggestion, luckily(?) we have just had a couple of trees come down because of the rains and we are remodelling part of the garden so that we don't have to use bamboo to retain the soil. It only lasts a couple of years and is relatively expensive to replace. So now I have a lot of material for filling.

 

[Mandy Onderwater]

Something that doesn't quite fit the bill, but could ALSO work amazingly since you've got the downed trees might be the hugelkultur method.

(Image nabbed from Google Images)

 

[daveb]

one heads up depending where you live , some trees have chemicals in leafs - bark - fruit and nuts that inhibit other plants and many of these chemical are still active until such material actually start to or are fully decomposed aka mulched. The black walnut produces juglone primary source is the pulpy husk around the nut , leaf , flower, and outter bark, others i would limit the amount as precaution as filler oak leafs - bark - twigs. pine needles- roots ( more because of ph ) , Rhododendron leafs - bark.
use sparingly or use any of these in the lowest layering where crop roots wont access easy. ive use black walnut bark and the dried husk around raised planter years ago as a mulch and in the walk ways between raised planters and not a weed or grass in sight even today the area where i had them the walk area are still visible and thin for grass because the juglone stays in the soil for a while