There is a wide variance in the physical characteristics of decomposed granite, Some of it has a large % of fine particles and can set as hard as cement. Some, when screened is suitable for use in soils. Crushed granite is a stable product with sharp edges and an irregular shape, usually pre-screened, that is excellent at promoting drainage and improving aeration. You'll usually find it at feed stores, elevators, farm supply stores that sell poultry feed. Starter/chicken and grower/turkey grit are most common and appropriate sizes.

Thank, Al. I was hoping to hear from you. I called one of the feed stores around here and they want $10+ for 25 lbs of grit. I think I will use lava rock or turface instead. There is a source around here for pumice but I think pumice will crumble over time. I am trying to create the mix that you recommend but I cannot find all the necessary ingredients. Can I use 2/3 parts of Turface instead of 1/3 Turface and 1/3 crushed granite since crushed granite costs more here?

Thanks.

Speaking of crushed stone..lol. I have some leftover crushed stone that was used to lay paers in a patio and I was wondering if I could use it for growing anything in? Or will it become like cement after awhile? I was thinking of something like thyme.

thanks
:0

What are you using the soil for, and where do you live, Kal?

Prairie - no way to guess unless you can tell us what you have. ;o)

Al

Al, I've had alot of the same questions that kal2002 has had. When I went looking for the chicken grit, the only thing I saw had a label listing ingredients and salt was one of them. I must be looking at the wrong stuff?

I also couldn't find turface but have found Espoma Soil Perfector in its place.

I live in NC where it can stay in the 90's alot during the summer. I have several citrus plants. What do you think about half soil perfector and half pine bark fines. Or a little more soil perfector to make up for the granite?

I bought a bag of Soil Perfector just to see what it's like, and it looks very good, but particulate size is large & will promote very fast drainage if used in any large quantities. The grit you can get is likely crushed oyster shell - thus, the salt warning.

Here's what I'm thinking: Soils do not ALWAYS need to be able to support themselves indefinitely. By that I mean, some nurseries actually build a soil that they know will "self destruct" over the course of a couple of years. What happens, is roots actually become a part of the soil structure. As organic particulates break down, the roots remain, providing air pockets as the small soil particles are washed from the drain hole. Not the best arrangement, but pretty OK o/a.

If all you have is the bark and the SP, You might try:
7-10 parts bark
2 parts SP
1 part sphagnum peat
1 part perlite

You might need to tinker with the mix a little to get the right water retention, and Citrus will assuredly do better in a more spare soil (more mineral content), but if you add all that SP, you'll not have enough H2O retention to get you through a day. I wouldn't go to more than 2 parts peat, either. Did you call Profile Corp to get Turface MVP distributors near you? We have at least 3 nursery wholesalers in lower MI, that all carry Turface, so obviously there's a market. I'll leave a link to profile where you'll find the 800 number in case you wish to chase it down.

Al

Here is a link that might be useful: Click me & I'll show you Turface info

Hi Al,

I live in Sacramento, CA. I would like to use your mix for most container plants outside, especially for dwarf citrus trees. I am not good in repotting plants even every other year so I thought I would use an inorganic mix.

I have a friend who has a granite countertop company and they have small pieces of granite (some are as big as my hand). can i use them and if so how can i grind them and is it safe for gravel too?