Banraw Peat 5 kg blocks are tightly compressed to save space during shipping. Before use, the block needs to be soaked so the fibre opens up into loose growing medium. Here is how to do it.
What you need
- A large tub, wheelbarrow or tank, big enough for about 75 litres of expanded medium
- Clean water, ideally low in salts
- A garden fork or your hands to break up the block
Step by step
- Place the block in the container. Remove any wrapping first.
- Add water gradually. Start with about 20 litres for one block and let it soak in. Adding all the water at once can leave a dry core in the middle.
- Wait 20 to 30 minutes. The block will swell and soften as the fibre absorbs the water.
- Break it up. Loosen the medium with a fork or by hand until there are no hard lumps.
- Check the moisture. Squeeze a handful. A few drops of water should come out, not a stream. Add a little more water if it still feels dry, or leave it to drain if it is too wet.
Tips
- Warm water speeds up expansion.
- To expand many blocks at once, soak them in a tank and turn them as they swell.
- Expanded medium can be used straight away or mixed with perlite, compost or fertiliser to suit your crop.
- Store unopened blocks in a dry, shaded place. Once expanded, use the medium within a few weeks or keep it covered so it does not dry out.
The exact amount of water depends on the grade and on how dry the block is when it arrives. If you are unsure, contact us and we will share the recommended ratio for your batch.
