How To Use Coconut In The Garden
Society is getting better every year learning how to use once cast-off byproducts. An example is how we use coconut in our gardening. The fibrous coating under the shell is a biodegradable substance that is in use in the landscaping and gardening industry. Using coconut coir in garden applications is an acceptable alternative to other container liners, and provides numerous benefits to soil as it decomposes.
Most gardeners are familiar with coconut coir products, especially container liners. The coir is the fibrous husk just under the outer shell that coats the coconut. It is removed prior to using the coconut in most cases. The product has moisture capturing capabilities and is a readily renewable resource.
Using Coconut for Gardening
Biodegradable containers like those made out of paper, wood, or coconut fiber are excellent alternatives to plastic nursery pots. Plastic does not break down and must be properly recycled or it ends up persisting in landfills. Biodegradable containers will break down in soil, usually by the end of the growing season. They also have the added benefit of giving back to enhance soil.
When compared, each type of container has different benefits. Thin paper sleeves degrade much more quickly than coir or wood. Wood will often persist in soil for several years depending upon soil pH, moisture levels, and other factors. Coir is generally broken down in one season. It provides a neutral pH, enhances moisture holding abilities, and aerates soil. Coconut coir garden liners for containers are preformed and hold soil in around the plants. They are similar to the use of peat moss in lining garden baskets. Adding coconut coir for vegetable garden soil amendment will improve the tilth of the soil and enhance a plant's root growth.
Coconut Coir for Soil Stabilization
One use for coconut coir is as erosion control. New roadway projects often feature rolls of coir along recently excavated hills, which help hold soil on and prevent erosion. In rolled log form they are also used along waterways to stabilize newly graded banks. Each log is custom planted with native plants for the use area. The logs will remain 3 to 5 years as the natural vegetation reestablishes. These are used along lake shores, streams, swales, and on un-vegetated slopes. The coir will enhance the nutrient balance of the soil as it degrades and eventually the new plant's roots will hold soil firmly in place.
How to Grow a Coconut
A fun way to use coconut byproducts is by growing a palm. The nut should be fresh and not commercially processed. Shake the nut to make sure you hear the water inside. Remove the shell but leave the husk or coir. Soak the nut for a few days prior to planting. Plant the nut with the pointed end down in well draining potting soil. The soil should be kept moist but not soggy. Place the container in a location where temperatures are at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit ( 21 C.). In tropical to sub-tropical areas, the nut may be planted directly in the ground in prepared soil. Plant the nut on its side with just 1/3 of the bottom buried in the soil. With any luck, a shoot will appear in 3 to 6 months.
Gardening tips, videos, info and more delivered right to your inbox!
Sign up for the Gardening Know How newsletter today and receive a free download of our DIY eBook "Bring Your Garden Indoors: 13 DIY Projects For Fall And Winter".
Bonnie Grant is a professional landscaper with a Certification in Urban Gardening. She has been gardening and writing for 15 years. A former professional chef, she has a passion for edible landscaping.
-
8 Plants You Should Prune In October – Don't Miss The Fall Trimming Window
Prune these plants before the frost hits to avoid pests and diseases, and to ensure healthy growth and abundant blooms next year.
By Mary Ellen Ellis
-
Climate Change And Pests: Do Warmer Winters Mean More Pests?
Warmer climates can result in an increase of some pests and decrease of others, which isn’t always a good thing. Here's how to protect your garden.
By Bonnie L. Grant
-
Coconut Oil Facts: Using Coconut Oil For Plants And More
You can find coconut oil listed as an ingredient in many foods, cosmetics and other items. But what is coconut oil and how is it processed? There are virgin, hydrogenated and refined coconut oils with each being made a slightly different way. Learn more here.
By Bonnie L. Grant
-
When Are Coconuts Ripe: Do Coconuts Ripen After They Are Picked
If you live in a suitably tropical region, you may be lucky enough to have a coconut in your landscape. The questions then arise, when are coconuts ripe and how to pick coconuts from trees? Click this article to find out all about harvesting coconuts.
By Amy Grant
-
What Is Lethal Bole Rot: Learn About Lethal Bole Rot Disease
What is lethal bole rot? Also known as basal stem rot or ganoderma wilt, lethal bole rot is an extremely destructive fungal disease that affects various palms, including coconut palm. Learn more about bole rot in coconut trees in this article.
By Mary H. Dyer
-
Coconut Palm Diseases – Reasons And Fixes For Coconut Wilting
Coconut trees are fairly low maintenance, interesting specimens for the home garden. Even so, they are susceptible to some coconut palm diseases and environmental stresses, such as coconut wilting. Learn more about this here.
By Amy Grant
-
Fertilizing Coconut Palm Trees: How And When To Fertilize Coconut Palms
With proper care, a coconut palm tree will produce an abundance of fruit for up to 80 years, so learning about fertilizing coconut palm trees is of paramount importance for the longevity of the tree. Explore how to fertilize coconut palm trees in this article.
By Amy Grant
-
Coconut Tree Disease And Pests: Treatment Of Coconut Tree Issues
Coconut tree problems can interfere with healthy growth. Therefore, proper diagnosis and treatment of coconut tree issues is essential. Learn more in this article so you can grow healthy coconuts.
By Susan Patterson
-
Growing Coconut Palms - How To Grow A Coconut Plant
Growing a coconut palm tree is easy and fun. All you need is a coconut to get started. In the following article, you will find planting information for coconut palms and how to care for them.
By Heather Rhoades