If it dries, it becomes hydrophobic. /Extremely difficult to re-moisten.

Do you think she is wrong? DId she have an alternative to accomplish what the peat was for?

This post was edited by dirtguy50 on Tue, Nov 5, 13 at 19:01

I am in Arizona too. I can't say I'm expert in this subject but if the peat moss is allowed to dry out to the point that it cannot be re-moistened, that only means you will need to water more frequently and that the peat moss will take longer to break down and so might be slower to release its nutrients to the soil. It will still provide aeration and drainage to the soil.

I can't say for sure but dried out peat moss might even have benefits such as providing aeration and drainage for a longer duration that wet peat moss, precisely because the dried takes longer to break down. For me, Mel's Mix has been the best, most productive soil I've ever used and I wouldn't change anything, even here in Arizona.