Thanks for the replies and good to know that even if it is an old thread, once boosted with a new reply it generates discussion (I was not sure until,now!0
I do use perlite in my mix but see this as additional to a grit which is more durable (as said by Pete.8). Looking at Amazon prices they seem more expensive than the bags of lava which I bought (around 12Euros for 12kg from memory) although the finer grain is about 50% more expensive.
Regarding gravel, it is coarser than either the lava or grit.
I shall start using the lava on a regular basis and come back with more questions if necessary!
Thanks @LG_ , that's helpful. I was struggling to remember the detail of what they actually said other than the size difference between sharp sand, grit & gravel.
Clay soil - Cheshire/Derbyshire border. I play with plants and soil and sometimes it's successful
I'm still not sure why you need grit. I've been gardening in France since the mid 1980s and never used it as it isn't available. Never been a problem. I prefer the colour of dark compost to grit on top of pots anyway and compost drains pretty well.
I don't even remember it on GW on TV until Monty Don and Carol Klein started using it. Is it a fad?
Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
I use it mainly for long-term potting of Mediterranean-type plants … bay, fig etc .., they are thirsty but hate their roots to be permanently damp so a gritty free-draining potting mix is good for them.
MD lives in a very rainy part of the country so I imagine that he finds it important to ensure pots are freedraining to prevent water logging.
There’s no such thing as one size fits all with potting mixes 😊
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
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I play with plants and soil and sometimes it's successful
I don't even remember it on GW on TV until Monty Don and Carol Klein started using it. Is it a fad?
potting of Mediterranean-type plants … bay, fig etc .., they are thirsty but hate their roots to be permanently damp so a gritty free-draining potting mix is good for them.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
@Busy-Lizzie … not in a container? 😊
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.