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Container Gardening

Need evaluation on my gritty mix

8 years ago

Hi everyone!

I'm new to Al's gritty mix (1:1:1) and I was hoping I could call upon others' experiences and expertise to help me do things correctly from the start.

Here's what I have:

- Manna Pro poultry grit, screened/rinsed over 1/16" fiberglass insect screen

- Turface MVP, screened/rinsed over 1/16" fiberglass insect screen

- Repti-Bark, currently unscreened

I'm thinking my bark is too large: it ranges 1/8" to 1/2", favoring the larger side. I'm trying to decide if I want to screen it and accept I may lose 30-50% of the bag, or continue the dreaded quest for bark fines.

But... Does my Turface MVP have too many small particles? I already mixed half a (18 gal) tub of the grit and Turface together, but I'm wondering if I need to screen it again to get rid of the smallest Turface particles. Should I screen it again, and what size screen should I use this time?

I read (after I had already screened) to use an aluminum or metal screen instead of fiberglass, because metal is better at actually screening. Is this true? I only rinsed when screening because it was so easy to set up a bucket, screen, and spray hose, but maybe screening dry would have been more successful.

Notes: This mix will be used for indoor plants and succulents. I eventually want to get a fiddle leaf fig for this mix, too. I am in zone 5b.

Featured Answer

halocline

8 years ago

lullafly, you're beginning a journey, MANY before you have forged through, I would give my opinion, but Al has taken the words from my mouth. If there is no wind, set up a fan behind you. BTW, I found my pine bark at a sand and gravel Co.

Rob

P.S. Is that what they mean when they say "May the wind always be at your back." ?

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Comments (8)

rcates
8 years ago
I'm on the dreaded quest for pine bark fines too and I would say your bark is too chunky. Someone suggested running bark that's too big through a mulching lawnmower or leaf vacuum to chop it up more. Might be worth a shot.
Bree
Original Author
8 years ago
My husband seems to think our lawnmower is a mulcher (it was a hand-me-down), so I'll have to take a closer look to confirm. We don't have a leaf blower/vacuum or wood chipper, but I may be able to find a relative with one if necessary. I could maybe pick up a cheap blender, too?

I didn't mind paying the higher pricetag of Repti-Bark for the convenience, but now it seems like it doesn't offer a whole lot of that, ha!
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tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
8 years ago
The bark is too coarse - it will all end up at the top of the mix. If you get over to visit your brother, or if he would look for you, check out any of the Bordine's Greenhouse/Nursery ops. They have locations in Rochester Hills, Clarkston, Grand Blanc, and Brighton. They've always been a reliable source for fine PB mulch.

If you screened your Turface over aluminum insect screen or a kitchen strainer with openings like mom's old strainer (about the size of the insect screen), you're golden there.

Al
Bree
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks, Al! I haven't seen my brother in awhile so it would be nice to make a trip out that way, now I just have to find an open weekend before mulch is completely out-of-season!

I used a fiberglass window screen on the Turface and grit (both were also screened wet). Do I need to re-screen with aluminum (either mesh or strainer)? Just wondering now if aluminum does a better job than fiberglass.
tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
8 years ago
I sent out emails to some friends in the DET area. I'll let you know if they have sources.

The holes on fiberglass are smaller and the strands thicker, so you retain more fines - especially if you screen when it's wet. I screen dry ingredients outside with the wind at my back and wear a dust mask - just in case.

Al
Bree
Original Author
8 years ago
You are the best, Al. :)

That's what I was beginning to figure, so thank you for confirming. I'll re-screen with aluminum and also with dry ingredients.
tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
8 years ago

Al

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