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Using vermiculite when planting out

BenDoverBenDover Posts: 484
in Tools and techniques
Never really understood what it was until now, but just been reading up about vermiculite and its ability to hold water and release it when the soil dries out.  Got me wondering if it would be useful when bedding out plants in the border as a way of helping the newly planted thing get established by using this in the planting hole to help with root development.  Anybody use it for general gardening other than using it in trays for seeds, which appears to be the most common thing.

My garden soil is sandy loam so does tend to dry out quite quickly and I'm wondering if this might be helpeful to use.  

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 54,023
    Organic matter added rather than vermiculite for retaining moisture in a border. Especially well rotted manure.
    It would be very expensive to  use vermiculite, and it's really for using with seeds and cuttings.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



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  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 14,379
    Compost / manure is the answer.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 10,971
    I agree you're better off with organic matter.
    Vermiculite is great and I use it to cover fine seed.
    But if you rub a bit of vermiculite between your fingers it just turns to dust and that's what will happen after a few weeks in soil.
    It's a short term solution.
    Perlite will last a bit longer, but will disintegrate quite quickly too

    Billericay - Essex

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