Are coco liners suitable for vegetable plants?
Written by
Julia Anderson
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.Coco Liners are excellent for specific vegetable plants that require consistent moisture and oxygenation. Tomatoes and lettuce grow very well in these natural fibers as they provide proper moisture levels. I have had numerous crops utilizing this method for years. When your vegetable plants respond well to coco liners, they tend to develop stronger root systems compared to other planting methods.
Ideal Vegetables
- Tomatoes need consistent moisture preventing blossom end rot
- Lettuce varieties thrive in cool moist conditions coco provides
- Peppers benefit from gradual nutrient release in coir fibers
- Strawberries enjoy the slight acidity coco liners naturally maintain
Poor Candidates
- Root vegetables like carrots need deep unrestricted soil space
- Potatoes require room for tubers to expand freely downward
- Onions develop poorly when confined by liner barriers
- Beets struggle with lateral growth restrictions in baskets
Optimization Tips
- Pair with quality organic soil containing compost
- Add slow-release fertilizer every 4-6 weeks
- Ensure baskets are at least 12 inches deep
- Monitor soil pH maintaining 6.0-6.8 range
Soil pairing is a crucial factor in the success of growing on a coco liner; always pair it with a rich, organic mixture that contains compost and perlite. Natural fibers perform best when they are not compressed. I create custom blends of mixtures that will match the needs of each vegetable. Nutrition becomes an available resource to the plants gradually as it associates with the coir matrix.
Water management is different from ground gardening. Coco liners dry out more quickly and require more frequent watering. You can create basic drip systems for more consistent moisture. I observe the soil daily during the hot months. If I monitor your vegetables correctly, they will avoid drought stress.
Considerations for seasonal changes may affect the hanging of vegetables. I would encourage you to start cool-season crops like peas and lettuce, and utilise coco liners for these crops in this example. Then, replace them with heat-loving varieties as the summer temperatures begin to rise. I like to rotate plantings in our three beds to help maximize the productivity of our baskets. Of course, your harvest extends into multiple growing periods.
Alternative setups are not able to grow veggies that do not suit their growing style. Use ground planting for rootstock vegetables that require depth for increased growth. Fabric grow bags are a suitable hybrid. I also use multiple methods to grow diverse veggie gardens. At the harvest, you will have grow bag veggies and ground-grown veggies.
Read the full article: Everything About Hanging Basket Liners
