coarse vermiculite is difficult to find in most places. Medium vermiculite works fine as does the finer stuff. Really, it all becomes fine in the end, it is just that the larger the particle size the longer it takes to become a fine particle size. The smaller the particle size the quicker it holds lots of water and very little oxygen so the larger particle size is preferred, but realistically the medium grade is much easier to find than the coarse grade.

My home depot has a very fine vermiculite, looks like dust, will that work?

Sure, just understand that in Sq Ft Gardening the theory is the peat and vermiculite don't require replacing, just the compost does.

In reality it all needs replacing eventually.

The smaller the particle size of the vermiculite, the faster it becomes a water sponge without air spaces. This limits plant growth and favors root rot.

Yes, you can use it, but the coarser grades would remain useful longer. If you can find coarse vermiculite, use it. If you can't then look for medium grade vermiculite which is kind of 'standard grade'. The powdery stuff is impossible to find in my area, but I guess in some areas it is fairly common. Personally I wouldn't use it, but if it is all you can find, then what can you do? I would rather grow in a 50/50 mix of compost and peat than use the powdery vermiculite though.

Im about to take a trek to north georgia and then onto western north carolina I have to be able to find it in one of those places I would imagine and just drag 4-5 bags home with me...although if I can't find it here I don't know what makes me think I can find it there :) .....better to use perlite than fine/dusty vermiculite?

Perlite can be substituted for vermiculite, but between the 2 I would prefer vermiculite. Perlite tends to 'float up' rather than stay in place. It also doesn't absorb much water.

Rather than drive all over the country I would advise calling nurseries in your phone book and asking them if they carry the coarse or medium grade of vermiculite in large bags. If they don't, ask them if they can special order it. Even stores like Home Depot which don't normally carry the large bags are often willing to special order it for those who ask.

Where I live there is only one place I know of that routinely carries the large bags and they only carry it in spring through early fall. After that it has to be special ordered. Not a big deal to have a store special order it for you. If they know you will pay them for it, they will do it.

Ha! I found it in Ormond at Grays on Tomoka (386) 677-0512 for $16 a bag. Its pretty much the smallest little nursery/plant store I've ever seen would not have expected to find it there but hey they had what I need for anyone looking ....although the bag is labeled "not suitable for seed covering" so I guess I couldn't use it for EVERYTHING mentioned in the book but it'll do.

Score! Congrats.

You can find it at Hall's Ace Hardware in Jacksonville. It's the Ace on Blanding Blvd. near 103rd. They sell the big bags of coarse vermiculite for about $17 per bag.

5645 Blanding Boulevard, Jacksonville, FLâ - (904) 771-6330â

Here is a link that might be useful: Jacksonville Micro Farm

Just an update to dwscoggins, Halls Ace Hardware on Blanding in JAX has the same 4 CF bag but 6 years later it is now $24.95. But they give 10% military discounts. :)