Hello All, I hope that all of the my fellow BCers are enjoying the snow. I've been asked if I can come up with ideas for using a couple of fields in on an organic farm. The focus needs to be sustainable development. The the first thing I thought of was to dabble with producing some sort of peat substitute (due to the increasing environmental concerns and its non-renewability). Does anyone have any suggestions for crops that might be worth while? Something fibrous that can be harvested, I assume aged, and then used to replace peat in potting mix. If not, I would of coarse love to hear other ideas about interesting ways to us the fields. Thanks a million, Michael
I've had good results with coir (coconut fibre)-based composts for potted plants. Fully sustainable, byproduct from coconut orchards. The only down side is that it does need a lot of transport from India, etc., where it is produced, not exactly a local crop. For spreading in a field, try a green manure crop, something with nitrogen fixation like lupins or clover, and plough it in some time in the summer.
I am reading this request as a crop to grow rather than a product to be used for the field. although the crop could be in turn used as a potting medium or other agricultural use? In which case coir wouldnt go because the coconut palms wont grow here out doors. maybe a sphagnum type product? there is a retail product that come from down under, a type of sphagnum moss that comes in 'rolls' for use as hanging basket liner and such. what about a fast growing tree for use as paper pulp source?
You understood the question correctly. I'm not thinking about using, but PRODUCING a peat substitute in the field. A local, organic peat substitute might find a market. Just a thought. As for growing pulp wood, I don't think that the size of the fields are nearly the size needed to make it work while. I've heard some really good things about coir. Actually, I really don't know why we don't see it more often here. Truthfully, I can't recall ever seeing it here... Unless it's simply labeled as "peat substitute". I don't know. Not a bad idea at all. I'll look into it, but the farm obviously doesn't have the facilities to process it in any way. I wonder if there are any local firms that would need supply. A crop of hemp is likely worth a lot more for the fiber, seeds and oil then as a peat substitute ;) M.