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Perlite for lawn drainage

Sam76Sam76 Posts: 151
in Problem solving
Anyone tried perlite to aerate their lawn? We have clay soil. Have aerated using core plugs and put horticultural grit in previously. Wondering which would be better?
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  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Sharp sand - not builders' sand.

    In my experience, perlite floats.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    I'd think perlite would be prohibitively expensive 
    Devon.
  • Sam76Sam76 Posts: 151
    100litres for £20 on amazon. But is Perlite more effective than horticultural grit? 
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    Sam76 said:
    100litres for £20 on amazon. But is Perlite more effective than horticultural grit? 
    I've never heard of anyone using it, which makes me think , probably not.
    Devon.
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    I'd think perlite might clog together and not drop into the core holes unless it's absolutely bone dry.
    Devon.
  • Papi JoPapi Jo Posts: 4,254
    Obelixx said:
    Sharp sand - not builders' sand.

    In my experience, perlite floats.

    Hi @obelix, Any idea what "sharp sand" is called in French and where you would get it in France ? It seems to me that French shops do not make the difference between "builders' sand" and "sharp sand"?!
    The Truffault garden centers sell these bags of sand : https://www.truffaut.com/sable-sac-20-l-385435.html which I buy. It says "Granulométrie 0/3 mm". What is the granulométrie (grading) of so-called sharp sand (as opposed to builders' sand)?


  • Papi JoPapi Jo Posts: 4,254
    @Sam76 Forget about using perlite, not at all suited to aerating lawns.
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    I have spoken to my local expert (husband).  He also suggests using sharp sand mixed with top soil otherwise it might "clag". If you only have the choice between horticultural grit and perlite for some reason, then use the grit.
    I will tag in @glasgowdan , see what he has to say.
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    I once had a client who used to let her lawn dry out and crack in summer and just pour pea shingle into the cracks. She swore by it . 
    Devon.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Perlite is great for seeds etc, but if you squeeze a bit with your fingers it bursts and turns to dust and that's what would happen within a year or so of using it on grass. It's not a long-term solution.
    As said above, I'd suggest sharp sand

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
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