Anyone near Charlotte, NC Zone 7b? Made calls, but still searching "Coarse" Vermiculite?

Good Morning SFG Friends,

I hope I get this correct this time. I thought I had everything correct last night when I posted on other topic. I did check the database, but no luck yet, but waiting for a return phone call (crossed fingers). Anyone near Charlotte, NC Zone 7b have a connection that is not on the database that they would be willing to share with me. I have made calls, but still searching "Coarse" Vermiculite? I was hoping to find another SFG'er here in Charlotte who has made their own "Mel's Mix" and thereby would have already gone through everything I have gone through in the process. I have found it online at 2 places, but they are pretty strong about saying this form is not to be confused with "Coarse" in texture, so here we go again, but at least this time I hopefully won't be bothering the rest of the SFG world and will just be hanging out in the right region. I am thankful for any help, links, suggestions, but mostly your taking the time to read and possibly help. Even if you can not help, I am still thankful. I hope that everyone had a wonderful Holiday weekend!!

PS-I also made a product request to Home Depot and Lowes for Charlotte stores to carry the "Garden Time" (with Mel's picture on the bag) for those that would like to buy the mix already made. I hope they will see the massive SFG'er in the area and make a smart business decision to carry the product. It would be great if others in the area would go to their website's and do the same. I will probably post that topic later, so please help get the message to these Giants, even though I still try to support my local Mom and Pop hardware and related stores, but sometimes they just can't carry an item due to the Giant store ability to get accounts. Thanks again and remember if you get a chance, go to the website and make a product selection to HD and Lowes. I think Mel would be happy with that!

With Thanks Always, Katch

Hey, Katch. How far are you willing/able to travel to get vermiculite? I'm asking because it's about 100 miles to Woodruff, SC, where Palmetto Vermiculite is located. We bought our vermiculite from them and it's exactly what was needed. They ship, too.

I got mine at Price's nursery in High Point. Is that too far? Check with your local garden centers and see if they will order you some.

have you Googled it?

I just typed in "vermiculite Charlotte" and got pages and pages of results -- including a number of different gardening forums where the posters list sources all over the Charlotte area.

If you can't find course, use medium....there's a fair amount of "slop" in the recommendations -- use what you can find!

Dear SFGing Friends,

I finally found a place to order online, then eBay, then locally they were out of stock at one location, but will order it for me. I will be making these locations available on the Vermiculite database. Many of the Google listings and other suggestion turned out to be dead ends, but I wanted to thank everyone for all of your help, support and suggestions. Have a Wonderful Evening.

PS-Here is a link for Gro-Well and it has a more predominate picture of Mel on it and explains the recipe and a bit about SFG for those who have access to this product brand. The brand that Lowe's is carrying in locations other than North Carolina is called "Garden Time" and I am sorry to say I don't have much information on that one, but "Gro-Well" is a very nice little website. Hope you enjoy.

http://www.gro-well.com/lawnandgarden/squarefootgardening.html


With Many Always,
Katch

There was a discussion a month or so ago about one version of Mel's mix that wasn't any good. But since the search engine on this site is less than useful, I can't find the discussion. Could someone with a better memory than I find the discussion in case this is the product that wasn't any good?

You might also check with the SFG foundation to see which company they recommend for purchased Mel's mix.

I use a lot of this throughout the year in our property management co. I buy and have it shipped by the truckload. I'm also a big vegetable gardener myself and use a variation of the square foot gardening concept. I love the mel's mix concept and have used it for years. We have chickens which come in handy in creating compost. I live in Indian Trail and can probably help supply some vermiculite to those who have trouble finding vermiculite locally. Just call or text me at 704.618.1413. I'm also interested in a gardening club in the Indian Trail area where I can grow my skill.

-Mark

Look at your nearest hydroponics store. That's where I get mine and they always seem to have it.

This came up on a Google search.
Westmont Mining Inc
(704) 847-0366
2300 Sardis Rd N, Charlotte, NC

I just bought course vermiculite online from the Greenhouse Megastore. Its $24 plus a bit for shipping. I got 4 cu ft shipped for $40 to California. After pricing home depot and other places which didn't even carry course grade, I felt this price was reasonable.

http://www.greenhousemegastore.com/product/vermiculite-4-cubic-foot-bag/seed-starting

That price is a bit steep. I use agricultural grade vermiculite. It is the kind most often used by commercial growers. It is between the medium and coarse grade. Having tried all grades, I must confess that I don't notice much of a difference. In the Carolinas , our problem is lumpy, clay soil. Vermiculite works great for preventing clumps and water retention. I can get it for $15 per 4 cubic ft. bag.

If anyone is still looking for vermiculite in Charlotte, we found it at Pike Nurseries in Ballantyne. It's specifically the coarse grade (it even says "for square foot gardening" on it.) We got it on sale for about $15 for 2 cu. ft. They also sell a larger bag which may be more economical per cu. ft. but we didn't need that size so I couldn't tell you the price.

Did you add it to the Vermiculite Database?

I'm new here and didn't know that was a thing. But now I see, and someone has indeed added it already. Thanks