has anyone used "Quikcrete" Gravel instead of granite in gritty mix?

9 years ago

I was browsing the forum and found this thread http://forums2.gardenweb.com/discussions/1385787/gritty-mix-quikcrete-gravel-instead-of-crushed-granite?n=2 about using Quickcrete gravel instead of granite in the gritty mix.
Has anyone successfully done this? The granite in my local feed store is 16 dollars for 50lb so this would be much more affordable (and convenient since I can get it at Home Depot).

There is a picture of the granite in the original thread-- I'll put the picture here as well:

And here is a link to the product from home depot:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Quikrete-50-lb-All-Purpose-Gravel-115150/100318444

Thanks!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (11)

rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
9 years ago
I would worry about what else is in there? (lots of stuff could be rinsed...)

And the size?

I am surprised about cost of granite chips in feed store? I buy 50lb of chicken grit for under $10 - and that's canadian - usually, you get everything for less.
hsw (Boston area)
Original Author
9 years ago
yeah, it was absurdly expensive. I bought one bag but would not want to do it again.

I just found a safety sheet about the gravel that says it's 3/8", which is a bit big. Darn.:

All Purpose Gravel #1151:High quality clean gravel with an approximate top size of 3/8" (10mm). Suitable for landscaping, concrete manufacture and a variety ofother purposes. Meets ASTM C33, Standard Specification forConcrete Aggregates.
Related Discussions
Gritty mix problem. How do I tell if the mix is too wet ?
Q
Comments (4)
Nguyenty - it looks like your Turface has already been screened? The #5 gravel looks very good - about the same size as the granite or cherrystone I use. You're better off with the granite fraction being a bit too small than the Turface fraction, because the granite holds so little water comparatively. I think what I would do is use it as is. I wouldn't fertilize at each watering because I suggest you DO water in sips, with an occasional flush until the roots have colonized the soil mass. At that point, with an established planting, it becomes less likely you could over-water. I would also suggest you insert a wick through the bottom of the pot at the perimeter (if plastic), and after flushing the soil or watering, tilt the container at a 45* angle with the wick down. This changes the shape of the soil that CAN be occupied by perched water to an inverted triangle, better said - a triangle standing on an apex - and reduces the volume of excess water a planting CAN hold; and, the wick increases the effectiveness of the strategy significantly. ..... not lecturing or being snotty. Think of it as a reminder to anyone following along ~ The reasoning behind the gritty mix: it provides a soil with little or no perched water that retains it's structure indefinitely. If anyone is going to build a soil similar to the gritty mix but lacking these two properties, there is little sense in going through all the effort when something like the less expensive and easier to make 5:1:1 mix would serve as well. Really glad to see you made the effort. I hope you let us know if in the end you think the dividends justify the diligence. Al
...See More
things I've learned about using Al's gritty mix
Q
Comments (26)
These are some tips for making Als gritty mix. I hope people on the forum and others who googled there way here will find it helpful. Screening Â I would buy a large 18 gallon rope tub container which is only around $5-10. Then put an insect screening on top of it and use holding clips to secure the screen onto the tub. Make the screen concave down to the tub so the materials wonÂt fly out when screening. I believe all insect screening is 1/16 inch. Hardware cloth Â I bought mine at Orchard hardware supply for around $2 bucks a foot. I bought 2 foot each. They fit perfectly on top of the tub with the insect screen right below it (see photo). I use 1/4 inch to screen out the pine barks. Fine bark Â leave these laid outside in the sun so they will dry. Mix them around every few hours as the barks underneath will still be wet. Drying the barks will make it easier when removing the dust and powder when screening. Preparing to mix the soil - I would wash the granite really well, I can basically smell the salt coming out of it from the brand I was using (A1 granite grit #10). Mix your batch up first then wash it again really well before moving them into the pot container. Use insect screen to cover the holes inside the containers so the mix wonÂt fall out. Supplies Â Use google map to find stores locally and just call the stores to find your supplies. Use "feed stores" for granite grit. (Gran-I-Grit Â grower size, is the best). For turface, use this link, http://www.turface.com/distributors/state/. John Deere stores will carry Turface Allsport which is the same as MVP. "Allsport Pro" will be too fine for use in the gritty mix. Gypsum Â if you plan on using a lot, just buy a 50 lb bag, I got mine for 6 dollars. Fertilizer Â I am using a 9 month slow release fertilizer, brand = Dynamite. Some of these slow release fertilizer will also have the micronutrient you need so you wonÂt have to buy it separately. Remember to buy a few empty buckets to store your supplies.
...See More
5-1-1 vs gritty mix newbe to potting mixes
Q
Comments (1)
Let me make a suggestion, please? Follow the link I left below to gain a better understanding of the difference between the gritty mix and the 5:1:1 mix, and a better understanding of how water behaves in container soils. I think gaining an understanding of that (the water:air relationship in soils) is probably the largest step forward a container gardener can take at any one time. Al Here is a link that might be useful: C'mon - I'll take you to what he's talking about.
...See More
Help! Al's Gritty Mix: crushed granite alternative?
Q
Comments (23)
Here you go Ruby! The pictures I promised you of my gardenias in the gritty mix. Notice the coloring and buds. They love the gritty mix! This one was tiny since the start of using the gritty mix This one was a cutting I started just this summer. This one was also a cutting. I bought it as a 2inch high high plant in a 2 inch pot!lol. It grew a lot over the summer. It is a special one and a rare one. It opens Yellow flowers and is very sweet. I won't take a chance of loosing this one to a peaty mix. Gritty all the way. This is my frost proof one. I am determined not to loose this one too. This one was saved from MG! It almost died when I first heard of the gritty mix and I desperately transplanted it into the gritty mix with the kind help of Al and Josh and look at it now. Here is a group shot of many other plants in the gritty mix. ALL were bare rooted and many have very sensitive roots. They all did fine:-) You plants will do fine if you listen to the friends here. By the way,Josh has made some more very important points. I wish you success. Mike
...See More
hsw (Boston area)
Original Author
9 years ago
Elsewhere it says though: The size of the stones in the QUIKRETE All-Purpose Gravel will vary regionally. It is typically minus (-) 1/2 inch material, though some regions will contain some plus (+) 1/2 material. Please check with your local to store to confirm what is regionally available.

So not helpful.
calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9
9 years ago
I buy my granite fines from my landscape supply by the cubic foot, very reasonable, with a minimum of dust. Average size is 1/4 inch. Calistoga Al
mblan13
9 years ago
hsw, I get all my supplies from Agway. I love Agway! Their regular pine bark mulch (NOT nuggets or mini nuggets) is awesome, and I frequently get 70ish % usage for gritty mix and 95% for 5-1-1 ( actually 100% - I mulch the pots with any larger than 1/2 pieces). They also carry TurfAce, and big bags of coarse pearlite too.
halocline
9 years ago
hsw,

If the grit at your feed store is the same as what I get, w/ very little waste. What's wrong w/ $16.00 for 50lbs? Sure, if you looked around you could probably find it for as little as $8.00. Depends on convenience. I have to travel about 25 miles to get Turface.

The purpose for crushed granite ( grit ), It has very sharp irregular edges, which promotes the root's to split & create more complex systems. I f you're using " Gravel " as just a filler, I suppose you could use almost any stone.

Rob
hsw (Boston area)
Original Author
9 years ago
halocline-- I also don't have a car, so the cost of renting a car + getting the gravel makes a bag more like 30 dollars. I've seen it listed at various places (and members of this forum have said) they can get it for ~6 dollars a bag, so it seems ridiculous to pay over 3x more! :)
hsw (Boston area)
Original Author
9 years ago
also home depot is much closer and I can get there via public transit :)
halocline
9 years ago
hsw,

I understand completely. Having no transportation makes getting these materials infinitely more difficult. Due to similar circumstances, I just paid $17.00 for 25lbs of grit.

As for myself & many others I have read about, these 3 items can be hard to come by & you have to travel far & wide to get them. You have a lot of drive w/ no transpo ( no pun intended ).

Another source I found was a sand & gravel company. " Haydite " ( expanded shale ) is another good substitute ( if you can find it in the right size ).

What ever you get, I would be sure & rinse it thoroughly.

Best of luck to you.

Rob
halocline
9 years ago
I just used your link ( above ) for home depot & amazingly it showed the store near me. Q.C. $4.48/bag. Do you have screens?

Rob
hsw (Boston area)
Original Author
9 years ago
yep, I have screens! Thinking of just doing coarse perlite though...

has anyone used "Quikcrete" Gravel instead of granite in gritty mix?

Comments (11)

rina_Ontario,Canada 5a

hsw (Boston area)
Original Author

Related Discussions

hsw (Boston area)
Original Author

calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9

mblan13

halocline

hsw (Boston area)
Original Author

hsw (Boston area)
Original Author

halocline

halocline

hsw (Boston area)
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

has anyone used "Quikcrete" Gravel instead of granite in gritty mix?

Comments (11)

rina_Ontario,Canada 5a

hsw (Boston area)Original Author

Related Discussions

hsw (Boston area)Original Author

calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9

mblan13

halocline

hsw (Boston area)Original Author

hsw (Boston area)Original Author

halocline

halocline

hsw (Boston area)Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

hsw (Boston area)
Original Author

hsw (Boston area)
Original Author

hsw (Boston area)
Original Author

hsw (Boston area)
Original Author

hsw (Boston area)
Original Author