Allotment Stuff > The Basics

Coal as a top dressing?

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Beersmith:

--- Quote from: InfraDig on May 22, 2022, 21:41:34 ---A notice said it was a ton of delivered coal. It looked the same as you would expect to use in a fireplace over winter. It was unused and not broken into very small pieces.

--- End quote ---

Well now I am totally confused. A ton of delivered coal would be somewhat less than a cubic metre. If the chunks were very small, say only 5cms thickness on average the coverage would be about 5 by 4 metres.  But how long would it take before it might start to break down? Who knows. But holidays on northern coasts suggest sea coal can roll about for years in the ocean and on sandy beaches in sizeable pieces.

So someone has covered their garden with a 5cm layer of rocks that may be toxic and may take decades to break down. Even if the toxicity was not an issue what is going to grow through a layer of rocks?  Not a wise move I fear.  Please post further updates if you are able.

Vetivert:
Any idea whether it is actual coal, or charcoal? Because a surface dressing of the latter wouldn't be a bad idea.

ACE:
When we used to holiday in the Canary Islands I once went to a botanical gardens. Every plant was mulched in black volcanic chippings. Something to do with trapping night time moisture. Not a lot of point in the winter here though.

Tee Gee:

--- Quote ---Something to do with trapping nighttime moisture.
--- End quote ---

I always thought because it was dark, it absorbed heat during the day rather than reflecting it.

This absorption causes a 'storage heater affect' thus making the beneficial heat available during the night.

The nighttime moisture you mention Ace could well have taken the form of condensation and give the benefit you describe.

In terms of coal/coke, and I am not so sure, as I think lava dust might be inert because it has been around for many years and weathered, whereas coal/coke might still be a bit toxic!

I am still out with the jury on this one!

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