Unless you’re a bona fide green thumb, you’ve likely never heard of coco coir before. Pronounced “coco coy-er,” it’s the fibrous husk that comprises the outer layer of a ripe coconut. Gardeners often ...

Anyone who has ever cared for plants has probably purchased commercial potting soil at some point in their lives – but did you know that almost all commercial potting soils are made from peat – a ...

An old moss plant asked a new moss plant how he likes living in the bog. “I’m lichen it so far,” was the response. As a young gardener, I remember my mom buying large bales of peat moss, sold as ...

Peat moss has been a favorite among gardeners for over 50 years now, but we are being urged to consider its impact and look for peat moss alternatives. Coco coir is one of the most popular substitutes ...

A few years ago, a hastily purchased bag of “expanding” potting soil introduced me to coir. Distracted, I hadn’t paid attention to what I had, but when I added the required water, the soil did expand ...

Dear Master Gardener: What’s a good replacement product for peat when I make or purchase potting mixes? Why shouldn’t we use peat products anymore? Are there any peat bogs in Minnesota? Answer: ...

I know that peat is mined for fuel in places like Ireland and Canada and that it's considered a non-renewable resource, at least in that form. Is the sphagnum or peat component of common seed-starters ...

Learn to make your own potting mix to grow plants indoors or on your deck. Learn to make your own potting mix to grow plants indoors or on your deck. It's a simple recipe, though it lacks an ...

When you decide to grow plants in containers, you probably worry about things like choosing a good plant pot and finding the optimum watering schedule. However, one element that often flies under the ...

Unless you’re a bona fide green thumb, you’ve likely never heard of coco coir before. Pronounced “coco coy-er,” it’s the fibrous husk that comprises the outer layer of a ripe coconut. Gardeners often ...