I'm glad you found SW Fertilizer already. I had talked to one of their Soil guys a few years ago and explained the two mixes, he was trying to work out how to best to do Bonsai and was very grateful for the head start. But their grit is the Oyster-Shell product as you already found out. Steinhauser's, either the one in Alvin on Hwy 6, or the one out West on I-10, has the Gran-I-Grit in stock all the time. PetCo is where I usually get fir bark, but my own drought-killed pine trees have kept me supplied with bark recently, what a mixed blessing... And if you haven't gone in to Wabash Feed on Washington St yet, you are in for a real treat and I envy you. Get you some Micro-Life fert there or at SW Fert, and thank me later. :-) Potting some volunteer Panzarella Lemon babies this weekend that sprouted from fallen fruit, so stopped in to refresh myself on the Recipes. Let me know if you want a few of these, they are ridiculously huge fruit and very tasty if seedy. Rick

How much (in cubic feet or pounds) of each ingredient will result in 30 cubic feet of gritty mix? Response from Michael Larkin Garden Design: I have never made that large of a quantity. I purchase the bagged ingredients and then use a 5 gal bucket to measure. 1 bucket equals 1 part. Mix in wheelbarrow. The formula can be found on the Garden Web Forum, go to the container forum. It is called Al's Gritty Mix. If you are a member of the forum post this question and Al may reply.

I used to use it but now we live on 1.5 acres and everything is in ground. Here is where I purchased stuff: LOS ANGELES / SAN BERNARDINO CALIFORNIA *** TURFACE MVP - 50# 12.50 bag , OR diatomaceous earth from an Auto Supply Store Tomark Sports 1180-A California Avenue Corona, CA 92881 800-959-1844 Try looking up Sporting good stores, or ask local highschools, colleges where they get their infield supplies. *** Crushed Granite Look up roofing companies. A lot of the ones near me carry grit. A-1 Grit manufactures the grit, and sells it to a number of companies through out the west coast. Call them and see if they supply anyone near you. 1-800-266-GRIT If you get A-1 Grit you want Size #5. Allco Roofing Materials 80# bag $5.75 8650 Garvey Avenue Rosemead, CA 91770-3269 (626) 288-2922 *** Fir Bark This was the hardest thing for me to find. Al really likes "Shasta Forest Products" and I called the company to ask for stores that carry their product. Kellogg Garden Products 8605 Schaefer Avenue Ontario, California Phone: 909-673-8065 I decided to use OF Wolfinbarger. It was more affordable. Its not Shasta brand. But it is Fir Bark. OF Wolfinbarger 2cu ft $4.50 bag. 1/2cu Yard $26.50 5675 Francis Ave; Chino, CA 91710 909-627-7481 http://www.ofwolfinbargerinc.com/ -They also have BARK FINES for anyone making 5:1:1 mix.

Seems to me that there is no need to rinse because the dust would be rinsed out the first few times you water the plant.