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Activated charcoal as soil topping?

gergo5hwyVjxDgergo5hwyVjxD Posts: 9
edited March 2021 in Problem solving
Hi!

I made a custom potting mix, and it seems I put a higher than needed amount of peat in it, so even though the water flows down quickly, the peat on top remains moist, and I wouldn’t like it to be a good base for mould. I was reading (and put inside the mix) about activated charcoal, and it seems that mould doesn’t really like it, so good news. However, I’m not sure about possible side effects of putting it to the top of the soil. Any thoughts?

Posts

  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    I think it will just trap more moisture in your soil, and just be moldy under the mulch of charcoal.  
    Utah, USA.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    What are you planning to grow in this potting mix?  

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • gergo5hwyVjxDgergo5hwyVjxD Posts: 9
    Tropical plants - calatheas, dracaenas, etc
  • nick615nick615 Posts: 1,487
    I don't know enough to answer your basic question, George, but there's a definite advantage to incorporating dark material into the soil.  When sunlight strikes the earth, if it meets light coloured soil (e.g. clay) the warmth is reflected, whereas darker soil will absorb that warmth.  So, darker soil will be the odd degree or two warmer than a light one, and that can be just that bit more welcoming for seeds and seedlings at this important time of the year.  A local chimney sweep in Forest Row (Sussex) used to dig in a quantity of powdery soot to his plot each year, to the extent that his soil was essentially black.  'Raw' soot can burn plants but, left to weather, will be less damaging and the sweep always had a good garden.
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