Square foot gardening question

[Gryfon]

This agriculture vermiculite...if I can't find it is there any alternative?

[SueA]

Hi Rachel, someone else asked me about vermiculite for square foot gardening, is this in a book about it or something? I've done square foot gardening for a few years now after I read about it in a magazine which didn't mention vermiculite at all & I've never used it. I just dug over the existing ground & added a couple of bags of compost which I now top up with garden compost & fertilise with chicken manure pellets. The vermiculite is probably to aid drainage if you are starting with heavy soil but I would imagine compost mixed with some fine grit or sand would work just as well.

[Gryfon]

Thanks! Sounds a lot easier than sourcing the vermiculite

I think it's in a book and also on a website.

[rustylady]

You can buy bags of vermiculite from most garden centres. I used to use it to mix with compost to provide good drainage, but don't bother anymore as I've had good results without.

[Gryfon]

I found some small bags, but at around £4 for a small bag it seems a tad bit expensive

Will just put some sand in.

[serenity]

wilkinson sell small bags of vermiculite for just over a pound a bag

[Gryfon]

Got no Wilkinson here

[Nicos]

Try your local lottie shop- ours is small but sells it at half the price of B&Q etc!

[Hazel at the Hill]

Our lottie shop sells vermiculite at 13p a litre!

[Gryfon]

Don't know if we have one of those on the island

Might just stick with the sand though as it seems easier

[Alice]

That's a brilliant price Hazel. I always find it quite expensive. I'm going to look for a lottie shop.

[Jaxom]

here are some links to bulk buy cheep Vermiculite in 100ltr bags.
http://www.gonegardening.com/xq/ASP/...op/product.htm
http://www.hydroponic-shop.com/produ...ca4cebf7bf6d0c
http://www.aquaculture-hydroponics.c...&productID=579
You can buy it in two grades I bought 3 sacks two yeas back and I still have some left. I used a lot when making up my potato tubs as they are lighter to move round the garden when full.

[heebiejeebie]

Thanks! I was going to ask about SFG too!

I've been reading "All New Square Foot Garden" during the last couple of days and decided to give it a try in the lottie next year (giving me all winter to build raised beds )

[nosferato]

look here, and they deliver
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VERMICULITE-HU...QQcmdZViewItem

[Headfry]

dumb question....what is square foot gardening please?