[orsonwb]

A good explanation of vermiculite, what it is, and why to use it in the garden. Interesting stuff I never knew. Just used it before because my Grandfather said it was good.

[CatOwner]

Something to consider, if we didn’t have to concern ourselves with the use of San Angelo bars and jackhammers in order to work in our yard’s soil.

[crusty old prospector]

I love me some (Mg,Fe2+,Fe3+)3[(Al,Si)4O10](OH)2·4H2O. Phyllosilicate.

[sauropod]

Bkmk

[wildcard_redneck]

Careful with vermiculite. Some sources have high levels of asbestos. Look up Libby, Montana.

[metmom]

Ping

[tflabo]

There’s a lady about 20 miles away can gets loads of free horse manure. Does a good job at amending the expansive, lousy clay soil in my area in N. Texas. Spread some on my heat damaged lawn last November. Grass looking better now plus totally organic no expensive chemical fertilizer needed.

[lee martell]

Is it also good for indoor potted plants?

[PAR35]

Maybe the story should be re-titled “How to create a toxic waste site”. A lot of vermiculite contains asbestos.

https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/asbestos/homeowner/insulation.html#:~:text=Not%20all%20vermiculite%20products%20contain,in%20pre%2Dmixed%20potting%20soils

[matthew fuller]

Thanks for this info.

[TigersEye]

bttt

[Gaffer]

I was running a new power line conduit into a concrete block building once and was drilling out a 1” hole. After breaking through a whole stream of little light pebble stuff POURED out.

Turns out the builder had filled the entire voids in the block wall with vermiculite as an insulator.

[FrozenAssets]

I usually make my own soil out of compost and dirt. I do use some vermiculite or pearlite in the seed starting soil to lighten it up.

We have loess down to 280 feet, but we use raised beds as they are easier to tend and warm up much faster in the spring. We also use a greenhouse and high tunnels.

We don’t set out starts until June 1st.

Of course the little flying vampires are already out.