Perlite VS Vermiculite for the outdoor grow ?????

I will be growing outdoor (directly into the ground) and Iâ??m trying to limit my visit to a strict minimum.

Which product between (perlite or vermiculite) would be best in general in an outdoor setting.

Thanks,

9KtuFK

I don't think either one is really the best amendment for most outdoor soil types. What kind of soil is it? Describe the texture, color, water holdig properties, PH, etc. What grows there naturally? How much rain do you get? In most conditions organic amendments like composted pine bark, composted manure, mushroob compost etc. will do more good than perlite or vermiculite.

double post dude i responed to the OTHER one... grrrr

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double post dude i responed to the OTHER one... grrrr

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I'm sorry stinkyattic, I really appreciate your help !

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Describe the texture, color, water holdig properties, PH, etc. What grows there naturally? How much rain do you get?

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Texture : not too tight (lotâ??s of air circulation after I turn it around)
Color : A very dark brown.
water holdig properties : I donâ??t really know, thatâ??s why I want to know if I should use Perlite or vermiculite to be on the safe side.
PH : I really donâ??t know ????
What grows there naturally : A little bit of everything except for pine.
How much rain do you get : Hopefully lots but it varies from year to year.

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stinkyattic: vermiculite is more stealth outdoors, as long as you REALLY loosen the soil, a lightener is not as important as it would be indoors.

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The thing is than last year, we used ProMix for our plant which contains Perlite or vermiculite (not sure) and the results seemed pretty good. This year, we wanted to avoid using ProMix because itâ??s expensive and allot of work.

I was shooting for just a quick turn of the earth with some sheep shit in the bottom of each hole and ??? Perlite or Vermiculite ??? to save $.

If Iâ??m getting what both you guys are saying, itâ??s not necessary to use any of them but stinkyattic recommends vermiculite if I decide to use one â?¦ Right ?

Any suggestion more than welcome

Thanks,

9KtuFK

Hi again,
First I agree w/ stinky that if you plan on using one, the vermiculite is less noticable outdoors than the perlite. However, the perlite probably works better as a light loosener. As I said though, I think you will have a better time of it if you concentrate on adding organic composts instead of inert type looseners. Using an inert type loosener in your soil works a lot better in indoor container planting than it does outside directly in the dirt. Out in the ground, you will have the best grow by adding compost. Also add some water crystals and either an organic fert or a timed release type chem fert. The advantage to using chems is they are less likely to attract pests. Get either a battery PH meter or at least a cheap vial type kit. Either can be found at ANY garden store. Sounds like you usually have a good amount of rain, so you should have a decent grow with little or no watering. Soil sounds like a decent starting point.

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Either can be found at ANY garden store

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unless you are in the uk :blueknife:

and you guys keep mentioning the visability of perlite, see when i am using it i coverd the top bitd of perlite witrh a thing layer of soil.

is htere anything wrong with doing that? if not then i think it would be wise to do it with both perlite or vermiculite.

No man nothing at all wrong with the use of either one. Adding something organic will only improve your results further. If you can't get a PH kit locally then just order one. Nothing wrong or questionable about the purchase of what is a standard gardening tool.