I would just use sharp sand, rather than Perlite. Using perlite and vermiculite is one way to help your soil retain moisture and aeration. Vermiculite is used in the same way as perlite, pumice, biochar, and rice hulls. The SFG method calls for equal parts peat moss, compost, and vermiculite. Perlite also has a tendency to float up in the mix after a heavy rain. It is possible to use both vermiculite and perlite in your container gardening soil. 7 Replies 578 Views February 20, 2020, 18:43 by rowlandwells : Vermiculite V's Perlite Started by bainsk8 on Grow Your Own Hey guys. Unless you have a very small bed Perlite (or Vermiculite or the rest) will be expensive. #2 - Can I just put my soil mixture into the raised bed on top of my grass or should I dig up some of my grass before I fill my raised bed? Vermiculite is hard for me to come by in large bags (a 90 minute drive out to Amish Country), and expensive on top of that. I can't keep silent any longer! I've grown tired of incomplete or even faulty tutorials. I don't know what peat moss, vermiculite, or perlite are. When I fill my raised beds my formula is 10 percent rock dust 5 percent will work but I like 10 percent best and this you can get at your local cement company or rock and sand company if you have your own truck it is very affordable about 10 to 20 bucks for a half yard I like granite or volcanic cinder sand but river rock crushed and fine screened is good. Building your own raised bed is not difficult, and you can find endless DIY ideas online that fit any budget. Vermiculite for raised beds. Perlite may also be found in potting soils, but vermiculite is far superior for water retention. Vermiculite, although less aerating than perlite, is the amendment of choice for water-loving plants. They are used in a similar manner, but they are not interchangeable. Perlite or Vermiculite Started by fatbelly on Grow Your Own. There are many other soil amendments that have similar benefits to perlite, such as vermiculite… Use 1/3 to 1/2 vermiculite in your potting soil for containers or when building your raised beds, or improve your garden soil by adding it in the spring with your other soil amendments and compost. Plant health, moisture retention and proper drainage are all achieved with raised beds and also when you choose the right ingredients to fill your raised-bed garden. Vermiculite – Perlite – Use Caution – Seed Starting. Use 1/3 to 1/2 vermiculite in your potting soil for containers or when building your raised beds, or improve your garden soil by adding it in the spring with your other soil amendments and compost. For all those with a perlite vs vermiculite issue on their mind, yes, both of these natural soil additives work in a similar manner. September 5, 2015. But they’re not interchangeable. It can get quite difficult for first-timers. It’s just a matter of assessing your goals and needs. "Coarse" Perlite is smaller than "fine" bark nuggets. In thinking of expanding new beds, and increasing the heights of existing beds, I started to think about the perlite/vermiculite dilemma. It’s like perlite, as a natural mineral that has been heated up until it expands. Perlite vs Vermiculite – If you are looking for what additives are suitable to be incorporated into the soil in your garden. If your soil is a heavy clay, you can use perlite instead of sand to help lighten the soil. Vermiculite Vs. Perlite. I always hold my breath and change clothes after using. Which is why we will tell you how to have the perfect soil mix recipe. (I could still have used some of what went through the 1/4" mesh, for seedling mix, but I might just turn that fine stuff under some raised beds.) 4 Replies 1582 Views October 28, 2014, 16:17 by moose : vermiculite and perlite Started by rowlandwells on Grow Your Own. Perlite, ... You can plant in-ground or in raised beds. The classic soil-based mix for a raised bed incorporates equal parts garden soil, compost and sharp sand. Here are other uses for vermiculite: Add vermiculite to soil for conditioning and lightening either alone or in conjunction with peat or compost There is no definitive answer – some gardeners swear by perlite while others are adamant that vermiculite … It doesn’t however, draw any moisture from within the root vegetable. Vermiculite holds many times its own weight in water; add it to indoor potting mixes and garden soils for this moisture-holding ability. We offer the lowest prices and best selection of perlite, vermiculite and much more. Perlite & Vermiculite If you garden regularly or just putter around with plants and flowers, you’re probably familiar with vermiculite and perlite. 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