Hello from SOKY! (and a question)

pamwins 2/10/2012, 6:30 pm

We have gardened for yrs but this is our first yr to SFG. We finally found 4 bags of 4 cu. ft. vermiculite only to find it's a vermiculite that's actually been pre-treated to repel moisture. It's called Zonolite Masonry Insulation. Has anyone ran across this before? We just don't see how this stuff can work.

minervalong 2/10/2012, 6:39 pm

hiya pamwin, any where near bg? where did you find the vermiculite? i haven't started my sfg yet, gotta get the greenhouse built first, don't want the mennonites trippin on my beds.

welcome to the forum, someone will be along in a few to answer your question i'm sure, real friendly bunch here and what they don't know about gardening mel's way ain't worth knowing.

pamwins 2/10/2012, 7:10 pm

minervalong wrote:hiya pamwin, any where near bg? where did you find the vermiculite? i haven't started my sfg yet, gotta get the greenhouse built first, don't want the mennonites trippin on my beds.

welcome to the forum, someone will be along in a few to answer your question i'm sure, real friendly bunch here and what they don't know about gardening mel's way ain't worth knowing.

Hello, Minervalong! Yes, we are in Scottsville but he works in BG. We found this vermiculite/Zonolite at Lee Brick but don't know it's the right kind just yet. The snow was really coming down this afternoon when we bought it and we didn't realize when they loaded it that it wasn't the real deal. The co-op in Lafayette TN can order it for $21-$23 a bag, he was estimating. Thanks for the warm welcome!

**sfg4uKim** 2/10/2012, 7:30 pm

pamwins 2/10/2012, 7:38 pm

minervalong 2/10/2012, 7:39 pm

hiya neighbor, i had that place on my list of places to look, seeing as how it is just as far for me as for you lol. i'm in great scottsvegas too! someone will be along to steer us right soon i reckon.

pamwins 2/10/2012, 7:45 pm

I can't believe we bought 4 bags of vermiculite that REPELS water!

minervalong 2/10/2012, 7:52 pm

don't worry, from what i understand from the book (have you read it yet? i returned it to the library last week), the vermiculite is to help keep it friable and not pack down, not to hold water, that is part of the peatmoss function i think. don't despair yet.

pamwins 2/10/2012, 8:21 pm

We borrowed our son's book and saw how useful it was and ordered our own copy from Amazon. Perhaps it can be used in Mel's mix, idk, but I don't think you can start seeds in this stuff though. I'm afraid to open the bag until someone says it'll work.

wilkette 2/10/2012, 8:58 pm

Hey neighbors! I'm in Clarksville (TN), so not too far from you. Smile

pamwins 2/10/2012, 9:13 pm

Hey, Neighbor!

kyrocketscientist 2/13/2012, 11:26 am

Hey, I'm in Ky also. I wish when we click on "members" you could search by location. Anyway, anyone close to Henderson?

As far as the vermiculite, I dont have the answer. I know it is used to keep the soil from caking, but I'm not sure of the use for water retention. It it works let me know. There is a Lee's Brick in Owensbore, which is only 20 miles from me...John

madnicmom 2/13/2012, 1:14 pm

Hello from SOKY! (and a question) 396615

from Cincinnati!

Squat_Johnson 2/13/2012, 2:12 pm

Welcome to the forum.
I'm not sure about your particular type of vermiculite.

I have ordered horticultural vermiculite from this place:
http://local.yahoo.com/info-36309318-alvaton-nursery-landscaping-incorporated-alvaton;_ylt=A9j8fJz3XzlPNDQAIw2HNcIF;_ylv=3?csz=Bowling+Green%2C+KY
also
Deerfield Supply in Elkton, KY - 270-265-2425

**Furbalsmom** 2/13/2012, 8:21 pm

the vermiculite is to help keep it friable and not pack down, not to hold water, that is part of the peatmoss function i think. don't despair yet.

This does need a bit of clarification. Both peat and vermiculite act as sponges (see page 90 ANSFG)

The vermiculite does help keep the MM friable and not pack down, however it also helps with the important task of holding the necessary amount of moisture. An example is germinating your seedlings in vermiculite with no compost or peat moss. The vermiculite keeps the seedling and new roots moist.

minervalong 2/13/2012, 9:26 pm

thanks furbalsmom, i don't have my own copy of the ansfg yet, did remember the peat was for holding water. so don't know if water resistant vermiculite would be much punkin huh?

**Furbalsmom** 2/13/2012, 10:07 pm

minervalong, You're getting there. Once you get your book, you will find all sorts of information you did not know that you did not know. Even after several readings, I pick up new information each time I go back to a section for reference.

Pamwins, If I were buying vermiculite now, I would not use "treated water resistant" vermiculite. I would return what you have purchased to the merchant for a refund. Hopefully, if it is unopened, they can do that for you. (unless you decide to insulate masonry somewhere around your place) Sorry Rolling Eyes

I agree with Squat_Johnson and would use horticultural grade vermiculite. I found mine at an Aquaponics Shop.

pamwins 2/13/2012, 10:19 pm

[quote="Squat_Johnson"]Welcome to the forum.
I'm not sure about your particular type of vermiculite.

I have ordered horticultural vermiculite from this place: Alvaton Nursery"

We drive near there daily! Thank you so very much! Now to see if we can return our foolish purchase...

pamwins 2/13/2012, 10:22 pm

Furbalsmom wrote:
the vermiculite is to help keep it friable and not pack down, not to hold water, that is part of the peatmoss function i think. don't despair yet.

This does need a bit of clarification. Both peat and vermiculite act as sponges (see page 90 ANSFG)

The vermiculite does help keep the MM friable and not pack down, however it also helps with the important task of holding the necessary amount of moisture. An example is germinating your seedlings in vermiculite with no compost or peat moss. The vermiculite keeps the seedling and new roots moist.

That's what I thought. Thank you so much for taking the time to clarify this.
pam

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