Anyone having different results with coir based compost/ growbags

[Onesmallstepforaman]

My tomatoes and cucumbers aren't as strong plants this year despite getting a good start. The compost seems to dry out really quickly, and root development seems limited

I agree. Several of my tomatoes have shrivelled and died. There doesn’t seem to be much water retention and then they are left sitting in this dry wiry stuff.

I think I'm going to try adding some of the garden soil to the mix when potting on next year. It's heavy clay so will retain nutrient and water better

I don't think I've ever used coir but I've been peat free for ten years or so and it works just fine. If you're worried about the texture try adding composted farmyard manure which should make it stick together a bit more.

Also, chop the bottom off a plastic bottle, make holes on the lid and bury it lid down in the grow bag. Water as normal but then top up the bottle with water so there is a steady stream of moisture dripping in and the coir won't dry out so fast

Ive been peat free for as many years as I can remember. No problems with tomato and cucumber crops. I do water every day, every two days max, and if you let it dry out, you need to leave the pot standing in water while the compost re-wets and soaks up all the water.

I find it drys fast but slugs hate it so win and lose.