Science Forums 2

[J Bean]

Hello, I've been lurking here for a while.

On the container gardening forum at Gardenweb, there are many threads about soilless container mixes using a calcined clay product called "Turface". It has a high CEC ratio and a size and irregular shape that promotes both good drainage and good moisture retention to make an ideal container medium. Roots like to grow in the interface between air and water, so a highly porous medium supports root growth better than a compacted medium. I've never been much of a container gardener, but I've been impressed with what I've tried so far. It seems to me that Turface or one of several similar products would be an interesting addition to some of the charcoal and terra preta experiments.

I live in southern California so I buy a product called "Dry Stall Horse Bedding" which is quite similar although locally produced. I'm going to try adding it to my raised vegetable beds this spring.

Anyway, I just thought that I would throw that out there for consideration. I'm not able to post a link, but look for the "Water Movement and Retention" threads to start.