I am no master gardener…not by a long shot. But, my thumb is fairly green. In years past, pretty much all my life, I’ve done pretty well with vegetable and flower gardens. I did have a heck of a time figuring out how to grow much of anything in this western US, fine sand and clay soil. Yeah, the little rain and intense sun didn’t help my learning curve much.

But here I am…finally on the productive side of the growing curve. I will share what knowledge I have for what has worked for me. I hope you find some value in it. Submit any garden questions you might have…I will do my best to answer them.

• Is perlite and vermiculite the same thing and which do you prefer?

They are kinda like the same thing…but not exactly. Both are soil amendments, but:

Vermiculite:

• improves water retention
• contains minerals that plants can use
• improves soil condition
• helps retain nutrients
• easier for seedlings to break out of a layer of vermiculite than a layer of soil
• vermiculite absorbs water like a sponge and then releases it back into the soil as needed

Perlite:

• gives plant roots greater access to oxygen
• promotes drainage
• helps aerates
• alters the structure of the soil in a beneficial way
• no nutrient or mineral benefits
• holds water within the tiny crevices and releases it back into he soil as needed

Which to use depends entirely on the soil you want to add it to. Both can improve soil condition. Both can break-up a heavy clay soil. Perlite helps with drainage if that is a problem…for heavy rains, perlite will help the water drain through the soil vs the soil becoming water logged without perlite. Vermiculite is about 30 – 40% more expensive than perlite.

If I was working with a heavy soil, or a compacted soil, I would use both. If that soil was lacking in mineral content I would use a bit more vermiculite. If I was planting something that needed watering only weekly or even longer, like established raspberries or blackberries, I would use mostly vermiculite. If I was watering every day, especially strawberries or blueberries, I would a perlite. It all goes back to soil type and soil health.

I like perlite for potting soil when starting my seeds. I like vermiculite for the first up-potting. For a first time planting in this native soil of ours I go with perlite. Next couple of times I plant in the same place in our native soil I usually throw in vermiculite if the previous season with the perlite was successful.

In soil that is already rich in organic matter in an area that gets lots of rain that might soak the ground I would use perlite and stay away from vermiculite.

About 15 years ago I wanted to plant some decorative trees in some seriously compact sandy soil. I was smart enough to know I didn’t know how to go about it. I talked to an arboriculturist and he recommended to use a combination of soil amendments that included vermiculite. But, he told me to use a “coarse” or “large” vermiculite; the granules are about 10 times the size of the fine that most of us use in the garden. Man oh man…it was amazing!!

I use “fine” in the garden and for up-potting. But remember, I use mostly raised beds in the garden and that soil is rich in organic matter and already has some perlite in it when I made the soil. If you want to learn how I made the soil for my raised beds < click here >

Q & A Time…Ask me a question or send me a message…

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