How To Moisten a Block of Coconut Coir

Coconut coir is a superb medium in which to raise your worms -- especially when used with the Worm Factory or any upward migration systems. During the manufacturing process, coconut coir has been rinsed and then dried for over a year. The dried coconut fiber is then pressed into blocks, wrapped in plastic, and shipped to retailers.

Primarily used in the plant and food growing industry, coconut coir has outstanding water retention capacity and excellent air space and drainage properties making it a fantastic medium for earthworm bedding. But, before you add it to your worm habitat, the coconut coir must first be moistened. Dropping it in a bucket of water and letting it soak might seem like an easy way to quickly moisten coconut coir. However, once the coconut coir block is submerged in the bucket of water, it begins to fall apart into smaller bits making it very difficult to collect and remove from the water.

Save time and effort by following these simple instructions on how to moisten a brick of coconut coir. Work smarter, not harder!

What You Will Need

Coconut coir brick
Measuring cup
Plastic pan or tray

For these instructions, we use a 1 pint Pyrex measuring cup and a plastic tub/pan. You can use anything that allows the brick to lay flat. A bowl will not work due to the curved bottom and sides which will prevent the coconut coir brick from laying flat and evenly absorbing the water.

Step 1: Gather Materials

Place the pan on a flat surface, then put the coconut coir brick inside of the pan. Fill a measuring cup or anything you can use with water; either way, keep track of how many cups you are using.

Step 2: First Soak

Add 5 cups of water to the bottom of the pan. DON'T pour the water directly on top of the coconut coir. Pour into the bottom of the pan so that the brick absorbs the water from the bottom like a wick.

Step 3: Let Water Absorb

Allow the water to completely absorb into the coconut coir brick. There should not be any water left in the bottom of the pan before you move to the next step.

Step 4: Flip the Brick

Now it's time to moisten the other half of the brick. GENTLY turn the brick over 180 degrees so that the dry brick top is now touching the bottom of the pan. Try not to let the brick fall apart as you flip it. It is OK if some coconut flakes off of the brick. You just don't want it to completely fall apart.

Step 5: Second Soak

Just like the first soak, add 5 cups of water to the bottom of the pan. Again, DON'T pour the water directly on top of the coconut coir. Pour into the bottom of the pan so that the brick absorbs the water from the bottom like a wick, just like you did with the first half.

Step 6: Let Water Absorb

Again, allow the water to completely absorb into the coconut coir brick until the bottom of the pan no longer has any water. There may be a "dry line" in the middle of the brick. This is OK.

Step 7: Remove Loose Pieces

The moistened coconut will easily separate from the brick. Gently remove the loose coir and place into the bottom of the pan.

There may be a chunk in the middle that is not quite moist enough to fall apart.

Take this dry chunk and break in half. You may see a dry line. If there isn't a dry line, that's okay. Since its holding together, and not falling apart, it is still not quite moist enough.