Why Use Coir Grow Bags?

If you’re a gardener with limited space, if you grow in a greenhouse, or if you use a hydroponic system, you’re likely familiar with grow bags. Whether you make your own or purchase a grow bag that is prefilled with a blend of fertilized soil, grow bags offer numerous advantages that you won’t get by planting in traditional pots. Moreover, using coir in your grow bags can take your gardening to a whole new level. 

What Is Coir?

Using coir as a growth medium has been growing in popularity. To understand why coir is a popular growth medium and soil amendment, it is necessary to understand what coir is. Coir is the fibrous part of coconut husks, a waste product of coconut harvesting. Traditionally, coir has been used to make ropes or burned to be added to fertilizer, but recent studies have shown that coir has many practical uses for gardening and erosion control. Its biodegradability, nutrient-richness, and water retention abilities make it ideal for landscaping and agricultural projects.

Coir as a Growth Medium

The primary benefits of coir as a growth medium are its porosity and its ability to retain water. As shown by Dr. Bradley of Baylor University, coco coir fibers consist of dozens of small tubes that can simultaneously retain and drain water. When the tubes fill, they let excess water pass through, which makes it easier to avoid overwatering your plants.

Unlike peat moss, coco coir is fairly pH-neutral and, depending on its source, can be rich in nutrients. Although this can occasionally be problematic, since coir tends to hold onto sodium, carefully rinsing and balancing your coir with the appropriate fertilization methods will take care of many of these issues.

Why Use Coir Grow Bags?

Grow bags made of coir and grow bags filled with coir can help facilitate plant growth and strengthen your plants’ roots. In general, grow bags offer superior functionality over traditional plastic and clay pots. With their porous exterior surface, grow bags have superior ventilation, temperature control, and water drainage abilities. If you’re using a bag constructed from coir fiber, and if coir fiber is the primary component of your growth medium, your plants will be well-hydrated and won’t be in danger of being overwatered.

Coir grow bags come with either a preblended growth medium or a dehydrated coir block that will need to be rehydrated before use. After it has been rehydrated, coir is a reusable resource that will help plants germinate for years, and, once it starts to decompose, coir can be used as a natural fertilizer to add nutrients to your soil. Coir fibers, as a totally biodegradable material, leave behind no waste.

Coir is also very resistant to bacteria, fungus, and mold, and, since coir is inert, insects don’t like inhabiting it. These qualities make coir an ideal growth medium. Whether you’re new to gardening or wanting to take your gardening operation to the next level, coir grow bags are a versatile, sustainable, renewable option for your garden.