Garden gadgets - compressed compost

One of the most interesting innovations in gardening lately is compressed coir compost.

Coir is a natural fibre which comes from the outer husk of coconuts, and is being used increasingly as a substitute for peat in compost because it retains water well and its light texture is good for roots.

There are now a number of compressed coir products available for home gardeners to buy, in various mixes to suit different types of plants or stages of growth, including seeds and cuttings, cactus and succulents, houseplants and orchids.

One of the main benefits of this type of compost is that it comes in the form of a ‘brick’ which is much smaller and easier to carry and transport than standard bags of loose compost - very helpful, for example, for anyone with mobility issues, or for those with restricted storage space.  To use it, just add water: follow the instructions on the pack to transform the compressed brick into light and fluffy compost.  Alternatively you can break off smaller chunks if you don’t need it all at once.

There are a number of brands offering coir compost, including Coco & Coir, which has a range of different mixes, including a very light and airy seeds & cuttings mix which expands to 15L of compost, enough to fill an average sized bucket.  Or you could try CocoWool - coir with sheep’s wool combined, creating a 100% organic product.

Eazy Grow comes in slightly bigger slabs of 35L, expanding to 70L, which also has a controlled-release fertiliser incorporated, making it suitable for young plants, flowers, vegetables and fruit.

It’s becoming more widely available, and is user-friendly and eco-friendly too - consider checking out compressed coir compost the next time you’re looking for a peat-free growing medium.