There's actually a long thread already devoted to local sources of gritty mix ingredients.

Supplies by State/Region: Al's Gritty Mix

It would be better to post there so others can find what they need in a single thread. Good info, though.

Penfold2 - done.

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NAPA
Floor-Dry
Part #8822

Weight: 25 lbs
Volume: 24 Qt (~12.5 of 5inch square pots)

Price: 6.99 (before tax)

For people living in zip code: 45040, there are quite few NAPA stores:

1) NAPA Auto Parts
5211 Bardes Road
Mason, OH 45040

https://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/CatalogItemDetail.aspx?A=NOD8822_0006414227&An=0

I have used same tools mentioned above.

It took around 2 hours for a bag while I was doing it slow.

ALL of the particles have passed through the 1/4 and 3/8 inch sieves.

Particles passed through 1/4 inch but retained on 1/8 inch sieve is 4 pots (refer volume above)
P
articles passed through 1/8 inch but retained on 1/16 inch sieve is 8.5 pots (refer volume above)
Particles passed through 1/16 inch sieve is 6oz (i.e. 1/3 of Hefty party cup)

ratio of (1/16 to 1/8) : (1/8 to 1/4) is 8.5:4 =~ 2:1

-Ganesh

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Turface
Athletics
MVP

Weight: 50 lbs
Volume: 1.4 cu ft (~18.5 of 5inch square pots)

Price: 9.35 (before tax)

For people living in zip code: 45040, You can find at the following places:

1) Southwest Landmark
818 South US, Route 42
Lebanon, OH 45036

2) Green Velvet Sod Farms Ltd
2615 Stewart Road
Bellbrook, OH 45305

I have used same tools mentioned in the previous posts.

It took around 4 hours for a bag.

ALL of the particles have passed through the 1/4 and 3/8 inch sieves.
Particles passed through 1/4 inch but retained on 1/8 inch sieve is 5.5 pots (refer volume above)
Particles passed through 1/8 inch but retained on 1/16 inch sieve is 9.5 pots (refer volume above)
Particles passed through 1/16 inch sieve is 3.5 pots (refer volume above)

ratio of (1/16 to 1/8) : (1/8 to 1/4) is 9.5:5.5

-Ganesh

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Zoo Med Laboratories INC.
Premium REPTI BARK
Natural Reptile Bedding
100% Pure Fir Bark

Weight:
Volume: 10 Qt (~5 of 5inch square pots)

Price: 5.49 (before tax)
This bag says: 2 Quarts Free! 10 Qt for the Price of 8 Qt
Sale at PetSmart brings the price down from $9.99 to $5.49

For people living in zip code: 45040, there are quite few PetSmart stores:

1) PetSmart
8175 Arbor Square Drive
Mason, OH 45040

I have used same tools mentioned in the previous posts.

It took around 30 minutes for a bag.

Particles retained on 3/8 inch sieve is 9oz (refer volume above)
Particles passed through 3/8 inch but retained on 1/4 inch sieve is 2.5 pots (refer volume above)
Particles passed through 1/4 inch but retained on 1/8 inch sieve is 2.25 pots (refer volume above)
Particles passed through 1/8 inch but retained on 1/16 inch sieve is 15oz (refer volume above)
Particles passed through 1/16 inch sieve is 3oz (refer volume above)

ratio of (1/8 to 1/4) : (1/4 to 3/8) is 2.25:2.5

-Ganesh

You've given us a lot of statistical info here, Ganesh, but just wonder which size particles of each product did you end up using for your Gritty Mix?

I made my first attempt at sifting and putting together the Gritty Mix today. I used the NAPA Floor Dry instead of Turface and I am concerned that the particle size I used for the mix might be too small. I used whatever passed through the 1/8" screen but would not pass through the 1/16" screen, and it sure looks pretty small to me.

Holly

Holly - just screen it over the insect screen & use what doesn't pass.

AL

Holly,

I haven't mixed the particles yet; I am drafting a mail to Tapla to find the right particles size for me.

-Ganesh

Holly - just screen it over the insect screen & use what doesn't pass.

Thanks, Al!

I took out all of the big pieces that didn't pass through the 1/8" screen, but didn't put in any of the tiny bits that went through the 1/16" screen so I guess my mix will be all right. I only made a small batch so with the next batch I'll know to just use the 1/16" screen and keep everything that doesn't fall through for the mix!

I actually potted up one of our hoyas with this mix yesterday so I will see how it does. My first "victim!"

Good luck with your soil mixing, Ganesh. You have all of the sifting done so looks as if you are ready to get started with making the mix as soon as you decide which sizes of product to use.

Holly

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Premium Mini Pine Fines
Natural Soil Conditioner
#312

Weight:
Volume: 2 cu ft

Price: 3.39 (before tax)

For people living in zip code: 45040, there are quite a few stores has this:

1) Ohio Mulch
12054 Montgomery Road
Cincinnati, OH 45249

The size of the particles ranges from 0 to 3/8 inch, But the ratio of the particles size depends on the combination of Store + Brand + Bag + Day.

-Ganesh

The particles are on one-dollar bill with a dime on top of it for reference.

Gritty mix
1:1:1
{{gwi:23550}}

Gran-I-Grit
0 to 1/16 inch
{{gwi:23551}}

Gran-I-Grit
1/16 to 1/8 inch
{{gwi:23552}}

Gran-I-Grit
1/8 to 1/4 inch
{{gwi:23553}}

Floor-Dry
0 to 1/16 inch
{{gwi:23554}}

Floor-Dry
1/16 to 1/8 inch
{{gwi:23555}}

Floor-Dry
1/8 to 1/4 inch
{{gwi:23556}}

Turface
0 to 1/16 inch
{{gwi:23558}}

Turface
1/16 to 1/8 inch
{{gwi:23559}}

Turface
1/8 to 1/4 inch
{{gwi:23560}}

Fir Bark
0 to 1/16 inch
{{gwi:23561}}

Fir Bark
1/16 to 1/8 inch
{{gwi:23562}}

Fir Bark
1/8 to 1/4 inch
{{gwi:23563}}

Fir Bark
1/4 to 3/8 inch
{{gwi:23564}}

Fir Bark
3/8 inch and above
{{gwi:23565}}

Pine Bark
0 to 1/16 inch
{{gwi:23566}}

Pine Bark
1/16 to 1/8 inch
{{gwi:23567}}

Pine Bark
1/8 to 1/4 inch
{{gwi:23568}}

Pine Bark
1/4 to 3/8 inch
{{gwi:23569}}

Pine Bark
3/8 inch and above
{{gwi:23570}}

-Ganesh

Ganesh,
that has to be the most helpful reference pic I've seen.
This will help so many folks who are new to these ingredients.
Now there shouldn't be any question on textures/sizes.

Josh

Thanks Josh. :-)

Wow...that's VERY helpful. I agree with Josh.

Thanks for taking the time to post all those great pictures. Excellent info for all of us!

Wow.. I don't even. Thank you!

Bump for the newbies like me. Thanks Ganesh.

I am new to the garden web and this is a real education for me. I woukd like to htank all those who give their knowledge. Im in the process of making the 5-1-1 mix. The pine bark is 1/4-fine of which 25% will go through insect screening. Should i omit the Peat Moss in the 5-1-1. I will be growing mostly blue berries. Thanks in advance.

I think I would eliminate it.

Al