As a ph neutral soil amendment, I haven't figured out the true value of this stuff. Does it actually swell up & hold moisture? Perlite is a no-brainer, but I'm not sure about vermiculite.
question re vermiculite
I love the stuff. I've been using it for years in my raised bed vegetable garden. I can't swear to its moisture retaining capacity, but it does help loosen up the soil.
Have a look here http://www.vermiculite.net/
Vermiculite can vary in how much water it holds.... Sometimes it seems very similar to perlite, improving drainage without adding much water retention, and sometimes it can end up making a potting mix downright soggy (fine for some plants, not so good for others). That's probably not as much of a consideration if you're using it in the ground rather than in potting mix for containers... and it does do a nice job of loosening up the soil, regardless.
Here in north Florida I really don't need anything to loosen the soil. It's all sand. My main concern is moisture retention. I googled vermiculite and never found anything that said it retained moisture. I guess if you have nothing but clay, it's very useful. Guess I'll stick with perlite.
Check into using those polymer moisture crystals, too... there's some great info on them over in a Q&A thread in the co-op forum. Or go to http://www.watersorb.com/index.htm (good info, and great prices), but I think the co-op is still going on... see http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/698140/#new
Anybody know a good online source for vermiculite?
(or if anyone knows of a supplier in the San Antonio / Austin area)
Veggiehappy - I bought a bag of vermiculite at Lowe's on 35 in San Antonio a few weeks ago for $3.something. I ended up returning it, only because what I ordered online had finally arrived.
This message was edited Apr 13, 2007 2:09 PM
If you are anywhere near a Home Depot, you can get a huge bag, 4 cubic feet for about $10
Yay, Thanks.
I've never seen it at the home depot here in New Braunfels, but I can check in SA.
I have a Lowe's fairly close (San Marcos) - I'll try looking there - Thanks!!