I use the gritty for slow growing woody plants (japanese maples, japanese red pine, etc) and the 5-1-1 for fast growing annuals (Lantana, Cuphea, etc) and a modified 5-1-1 (for Salvia) which is 3-1-1 with the "1" pearlite replaced by Diatomaceous earth (OptiSorb from FastenAll) for increased water holding capacity. Although this year I'm going to do a pot with 3-1-1 and one with straight Miracle Grow for the Salvia. They are on my deck in full sun, I mean dawn to dusk FULL sun! and there is a bit of a wind tunnel effect. I have to water 2x a day in 90+ weather or they will start to wilt. They are dark green and lose a lot of water perspiring, and I like to put 2 plants in a 4 gallon (ish) pot so there are a ton of blooms for the hummingbirds!

You can get Turface at John Deere Landscapes in BR, Chastant Brothers in Lafayette, WDI in Rayne (337) 334-8503, or at Ewing Irrigation in Lafayette, BR, or Mandeville. I'm not sure you'll find crushed granite or #2 cherrystone (used interchangeably), but you should be able to find Manna-Pro Grower Grit at feed stores and maybe even some big box stores. The Turface you want will be labeled 'Turface MVP' or 'Allsport', depending on whether you buy it from John Deere (Allsport) or another distributor (MVP). Saw the post in the "Most Recent Posts" box & thought I'd lend a hand. You read the thread linked to below? Here is a link that might be useful: Container Soils

Hi Tropic... I had had to laugh because I do the same when I go into stores looking at items. We have a commercial store called " Restaurant Depot" for commercial buyers and I always go to the utensil section.. Hubby gives me the look because I'm at the strainer section or looking at mats to use for the winter. It's amazing how we can look at an item and see the possibilities for our plants and trees. Great minds.. :-) i have many strainers and screens to use thank to seeing pictures of Al's sets of his screens that he made. My hubby made a set for me but used 2x4 so they are really heavy for me to use, but I don't dare complain. Thank you for the kind compliment!! This is one that is use for the kitchen sink. It works great too!!! Laura

Hi Plantcrazed!! I also can find that brand of Granigrit locally and Rooftopklyn is correct in that you want "growers size" grit. It is a little larger than the starter size . ( look at the bottom of the bag... See where it says ' starter'. ). You want it to say ' Growers'. Since you have a feed store that sells that brand and or sells it by the pound freely ... Make sure it is growers size. The smaller size grit is for young poultry and it's easier to help with digestion. As the birds get older, they need a larger size granite ( grit). So ask them about the other size. ( Growers ) they will know what you are asking for. The Growers sized granite stays in the basic size proportions of the Gritty Mix along with Turface and screened Fir Bark or Pine Bark in the size mentioned in the Container Soils-Water Movement Retention XXII thread linked below I believe it's 1/8-1/4 inch. http://forums2.gardenweb.com/discussions/2842847/container-soils-water-movement-and-retention-xxii?n=329 I just came out of a Tractor Supply Store and bought another brand so I wouldn't have to make another trip to get the Mount Airy Brand Granigrit. This is called Manna Pro and it is the Poulty size grit ( crushed granite) free of oyster shells... You only want granite without any fillers. This is a 25 lb bag and it cost 8 dollars . They also sell it in smaller five pound bags. ( can't remember the price since the larger bag is more cost effective) it's the same size as the growers.. if you have any Southern States Stores or Tractors Supply Stores near you, check there as well... Here is a picture right in the parking lot just for you of the Manna Pro !! Cherrystone #2 ( crushed Quartzite) is also used. I have a few bags. It's hard to find on the East Coast, since it's mined in the Midwest so I save it for special plantings!! Hope this helps!! Laura