Oftentimes, grow mats are used for growing microgreens like wheatgrass, sprouts, and salad greens. There are various grow mats available. From burlap, wood pads, to felt pads. But there is a new grow mat that is growing in popularity. Namely, coco fiber mat.
Want to learn more about this grow mat? Read on, then. In this post, we explain what it is, how to use the mat, the benefits of the mat, how long it lasts, and its biodegradability.
What Is It?
Let’s start with what it is first. What is a coconut grow mat? It is a mat made of coconut fiber designed for the shallow trays used for growing microgreens in hydroponic farming. Since it is made of coconut fiber, it is fibrous and has water-retentive properties.
As a grow mat, a coco fiber mat provides a very good foundation for plants. Why? Because the mat is very easy to work with compared to other types of grow mats.
A coconut fiber mat has structural integrity which ensures that the mat will not fall apart before harvest. Plus, it is resistant to pests, mold, fungus, and bacteria, too.
The mat also works well with various types of watering systems. Coconut fiber mats can even produce a 35% larger yield compared to traditional burlap mats
On top of it, unlike many other types of grow mats, a coconut fiber mat is reusable. That’s right. You can use it again after harvesting. All you need to do is to dry the mat and remove any roots left from the previous microgreen crop.
How to Use Coco Fiber Mat
Next, how to use a coconut grow mat. The mat is quite straightforward to use. Here’s how.
- First, soak and rinse the mat to remove unwanted elements which may still be present from processing.
- Add a nutrient mix to the coconut mat. This will ensure that the plants you are growing receive proper nutrients. Don’t worry. Coconut fiber is excellent at absorbing nutrients. This means that the mat will require less maintenance.
- After the preparation is done, the next thing to do is to germinate seedlings of your choosing. You can do this right away.
There is no need to worry about growing your plants evenly. The mat has a consistent fibrous makeup, which helps the plants to grow evenly. This, in turn, will make harvesting easy.
That’s all. Just with a bit of preparation and the grow mat is ready to use.
Benefits of Coco Fiber Mat
Other than its ease of use and reusability, are there any benefits of a coconut fiber mat? Yes, there are. Such as
- The mat is highly renewable and sustainable.
- It has excellent water retention properties. This means that when growing plants on the mat, you won’t have to water them as often. Thus, reducing expense and maintenance time.
- It absorbs and releases nutrients efficiently, which is beneficial for your plants. Not to mention that most coconut fiber mats have some nutrient benefit from the start.
How Long a Coconut Fiber Mat Last?
It can last for many years. This is especially true for coconut fiber mats that are made without any synthetic material added. Some estimate that all-natural coconut fiber mats can last as long as 30 years.
Biodegradability
Coconut fiber mats are biodegradable. Meaning, it will break down over time. Keep in mind that some coconut fiber mats have synthetic materials added and adhesives. These are not biodegradable. So, if you want to break down a coconut fiber mat naturally, you must remove these extra materials first.
That’s how awesome the coco fiber mat is. So, are you interested in growing microgreens on it? If you are, we can help. Buy coconut fiber mats here.