Terracotta

[Luke prior]

Hi, I am still in the designing stages for my set-up, and have been wondering about using terracotta tiles smashed and then tumbled until smoothed in a cement mixer as I have a few pallets of tiles sitting around... Does any body have any experience with this? How will it affect my ph levels? I saw that clay balls are used I'm guessing these have been fired in a kln or they would just get gunky.. So it should be the same right? Any comments welcome please. Thank you. :P

[Bart]

I have been using broken up clay bricks, for my latest media bed, HD sell it here by the bag for decorative mulch. I sifted out the fines. This system is a little over two months old now and we've had some chard and lettuce from it so far. The PH has been sitting in the 7.8 / 8.0 range since we started, which is where my source water runs so no big surprise there. I'm hoping to see the PH come down some but the system's still new from what I understand that can take some time and I know we're a little light on fish so could take a fair amount of time in our case.

Not quite the same as what you are suggesting but similar. I guess in the end it would come down the clay in the material you have as to how it would work. I'm a pretty cheap guy, so I know I would be giving it a shot if I were in your shoes.

[Luke prior]

Thanks for the speedy reply! i think brassicas like cabbages like alkaline i would give them a go.... i hope all goes well with your system. please keep me updated! n cheers to being thrifty!

[Bart]

lol thx.