What are "bark fines?"

[Worth1]

A Bark Fine is a fine you receive when your dog barks too much.

Worth

[bower]

Originally Posted by Worth1

A Bark Fine is a fine you receive when your dog barks too much.

Worth

Since I'm starting afresh this year I've been reading about the 'fines' and other parts of a mix. I had doubts about bark for two reasons - because in the garden our local barks are very slow to break down and tie up nitrogen in the process, and secondly because as Kurt observed, shredded bark is a 'find' to the ants... they love it.
Anyway I found this page which talks about some trials of mixes in eastern Canada ie so often a lovely wet and cold place - and they agreed, fines weren't great in a tomato seedling mix, the young plants did better without them.
http://www.organicagcentre.ca/Newspa...otting_mix.asp
That is in the northern climate of course.

I think some types of hardwood bark would probably be great - they may break down faster and need to be replaced, but that's better than having stuff to last longer and suck up your ferts.

[kurt]

The Wonder Soil mix is made from coconut coir.If your referring/asking about coconut shells,I am certain "coir"is processed coconut husks

http://www.gardeners.com/buy/coir-bricks/40-358.html

http://gardening.about.com/od/soil/ss/What-is-Coir.htm

[Greatgardens]

Originally Posted by kurt

The Wonder Soil mix is made from coconut coir.If your referring/asking about coconut shells,I am certain "coir"is processed coconut husks

http://www.gardeners.com/buy/coir-bricks/40-358.html

http://gardening.about.com/od/soil/ss/What-is-Coir.htm

Hi-

No, cocoa shells are from the processing of cocoa beans, used to make chocolate, etc. Nothing to do with coconuts/coir.

The shells are thin, and as processed, the pieces are roughly the size of a dime to maybe a nickel. A supposed advantage to these is that they are at least nitrogen-neutral as they decompose.

-GG

Edit: I bought a bag of both pine bark mini-nuggets and cocoa bean shells yesterday. These shells are actually smaller than I described maybe 1/8" to 3/8" typical. $3.98 for a 2 ft3 bag at Menards. One bag should make a lot of container mix! I also found that our nearby mulch manufacturer/garden center has several different soil-less mixes that they sell by the bag or yard. Several look quite promising.

[kurt]

Originally Posted by Greatgardens

Today I needed to stop at Menards, so while I was there, I looked at their Pine Bark Mini Nuggets and also their Cocoa Shell Mulch. Of the two, and just based on physical size/shape, it sure looks like the cocoa shell would work extremely well in a container mix. I asked before, and got no takers, but let me ask again a different way. Has anyone heard anything bad about cocoa shells in a container mix?
I understand that there is an issue for using them as mulch if you have dogs around, but using them in a container mix certainly poses no risk to animals. Anyway, I have a fenced yard, although that doesn't stop the racoons!
I think I'll try some of each in my EarthBox mixes this coming summer, assuming I hear nothing bad about the cocoa.
-GG

I managed to try some as a top (decorative)mulch for the wifes delicate potted flowers,herbs etc.Warning came with the bags regarding a possibility of a white gray mold that may appear and can be knocked down with a vinegar spray.After the mold is contained it has a nice odour and sheen to it.Will try some as a mix this Sept.Will try to find out if mold is beneficial and maybe shells are a good medium for beneficials in the future.I use some of the cannabis blogs as reference and nothing came up in their practices/regimens.Some of them guys have really amped up the knowledge and methods for regular garden techniques.