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Re: [SG] peat moss alternative

hi all,

back years  ago, i believe thru the efforts of dr, carl whitomb ( of writing
and container fame), research was done on "soil amendments".

the findings coming from that study were hated by the peat moss merchants.  in
the upper south, where i am, we already knew the problems with say, azaleas,
grown in peat moss, and being subjected to out potholes in the clay, and given
our alternating drown or drought situation.

the articles by dr. whitcomb were carried in our paper, and the nursery
business went nuts because of the percieved loss of income as homeowners would
discover the ill affects of peat moss in our area.  they did not figure on the
fact that folks dont read the paper, or listen to gardening radio, or just
didnt care.

more research, done here at uga in athens ga., proved his studies were more
relevant in the south than he had immagined.  the peat moss mixed with our
native clays, makes a very good adobe.  hard as a rock, and once dried,
impossible to re-wet.

at that time we were being told to excavte our base material and mix with 1/2
nateureshelper, to produce a good root area, also based on dr, whitcombs
'pancake' root theories.  R U GUYS STILL AWAKE??  anywho, now the
reccomendation has evolved to just dig a wide hole, and chop the clay up well.
seems that if the roots get happi in the 'mixed' soils, they wont ever try to
explore 'new ground'. (pun obvious and needed at this point)

so we see that over time reccomendations do change, and y'know???

peat moss sales havent gone down at all.  go figure!!

we, the gardening community, that is, use a local product made from ground
pine bark, here sold as 'natures helper'.  we also use a very small nugget for
planting.  those of us who are real nuts, use the nuggets mixed with granite
particles the size of english peas.  there are also expanded shale products
here for the 'serious' gardener.

one of the best products, which is no longer extant, was ground pine cones.
the texture was wonderful, and we have a few cones n ga.  e used this mixes
with expanded shale for our bonsai soils.  the very best in drainage, and soil
particle size.

the preferred method of planting rhodies, here, btw, is to place the rhodie on
the ground.  pour a bag of natures helper on each side of the root ball.
water.

well, everybody, wake up and read the ret of your mail.

time to be thankful for each other and for our gardens too.

u be good

ha
7a
nawuth of the big hooch
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