Vermiculite

Cathyegar 4/1/2010, 10:06 pm

I'm sure this has been discussed LOTS of times but I am new to the SFG forum. What is the alternative to vermiculite if you can't find it?
Thanks,
Cathy in AL

choksaw 4/1/2010, 10:33 pm

Perilite can be used as a substitute mel doesnt reccomend it mainly becaus eit makes him sneeze lol you may also try a very small pea gravel the purpose is to help facilitate air flow and water drainage howerver pea gravel is very haevy and may complicate things when it comes to soil compaction due to settling.
check here to see if you can find a vermiculite source close by
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/vermiculite-sources-and-information-f30/

look into other avenues as well such as landscape supply stores, nurseries, and believe it or not some times the big box stores have it in the insulation isle just make sure you read the package well so that you dont get any surprises.

Marisa 4/1/2010, 10:47 pm

I found vermiculite at my local home improvement store. I found, if you search the bags, or ask someone in the garden center for discounted bags (ones that have a slight tear) you can get a great price.

chexmix 4/1/2010, 10:55 pm

What part of Alabama are you in? Maybe I can help you locate some. I'm in Mobile.

Cathyegar 4/2/2010, 9:05 am

Gadsden (NE AL)

scbusf 4/2/2010, 9:21 am

Try a Feed Store.

Sherry

chexmix 4/2/2010, 10:34 am

If you call this place

Town & Country Farm Supply and Hardware5601 Main St
Gadsden, AL 35903

256-492-7377 Ask for Ben

Ben will help you get your Vermiculite. I spoke with him and he will be glad to help. I do not know how much it is but he will get it from same distributor that my feed store got it from and they charged $16.95 per 4 cubic foot bag.

Hope this helps.

Cathyegar 4/2/2010, 11:24 am

Well, Christine, you're the greatest!! I know right where that is but I really didn't know where all to check. I will do that because my SFG's came today! yay!!

Cathyegar 4/3/2010, 8:34 pm

Got my vermiculite!!

Jeff Buffington 4/3/2010, 8:41 pm

Cathyegar wrote:Got my vermiculite!!

Congratulations! I'm still trying to find more sources.. but I do have a couple so far. albino

chexmix 4/3/2010, 11:17 pm

Cathyegar wrote:Got my vermiculite!!

Glad you were able to get some. Did the information I provided help? Inquiring minds want to know cause if it did or did not I need to do a little research to find other sources in Alabama.

auntij 4/3/2010, 11:41 pm

Holy cow! I wish I could find it for $16.95 for 4cf. We found some 8qt bags for $4 and a 4cf for $33.

Jeff Buffington 4/4/2010, 1:52 am

auntij wrote:Holy cow! I wish I could find it for $16.95 for 4cf. We found some 8qt bags for $4 and a 4cf for $33.

I found it for $14 for a 4 cu/ft bag. I wouldn't bother with the 8qt bags... take far too much for most uses.

A 4'x4'x6"= 8 ft³ = 205.712 qt(US dry)
Take that and divide it by 3 to find out how many Therefore, it would take roughly 8.5 bags of Vermiculite (in 8qt sizes), combined with the appropriate peat and compost, to fill one 4x4 box. At $4 for 8.5 bags... that's $34 just for the Vermiculite. A 4 cu/ft bag of vermiculite is far more than you need for a simple 4x4x6".

auntij 4/4/2010, 10:44 am

I have another 4x12 and two 4x4x12 to fill. Now you see why I wish I could find it for $16.95 for 4cf.

chexmix 4/4/2010, 1:35 pm

auntij wrote:I have another 4x12 and two 4x4x12 to fill. Now you see why I wish I could find it for $16.95 for 4cf.

Where are you located? Maybe someone here can help you find it.

auntij 4/4/2010, 2:23 pm

I am in Providence Rhode Island.

Cathyegar 4/4/2010, 4:59 pm

Yes, Christine. I went to Town and Country but he wasn't ordering any time soon but he made another ph call for me and I went and got it. Four cu ft bags and I think it was about the same cost; maybe a little cheaper.

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	Hello Guest! Welcome to the official Square Foot Gardening Forum. There's lots to learn here by reading as a guest. However, if you become a member (it's free, ad free and spam-free) you'll have access to our large vermiculite databases, our seed exchange spreadsheets, Mel's Mix calculator, and many more members' pictures in the Gallery. Enjoy.