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what kind of grit do the gardeners use in there potting soil?

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  • I tried to get some earlier in the year from garden centres but everyone was out of stock so I ordered some Westland Horticultural Potting Grit from Amazon - it was £14.99 for 20kg including delivery - a bit pricey but when you take the delivery into account it seems ok.  It'll last me ages.  

    It is very heavy tho' - I needed my OH to help me tip it into a small dustbin by the greenhouse.


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • You can use cat litter-as long as it is the right kind see. Like tescos lightweight lowdust cat litter. I use it for practically almost all my bonsai. The tescos lightweight low dust is made of moler clay which does not break down so is stable, absorbs and is free draining as well.
  • GWRSGWRS Posts: 8,477

    Horticulture grit from garden centres I put on top of pots , around Hostas

    In potting compost I mix pearlite image

  • perlite floats when watering if used as a top dressing of sort. it can float when submerging method of watering and when using a watering can, so water slowly and steadily with perlite
  • I use bog standard grit from B&Q. My aloes, palms and cordylines love it. They have got a mix of shapr sand, compost and grit

  • just to let you guys know, i tried growing some garlic in pure horticultural course grit and it seems to be growing well.
  • I have been having trouble finding grit anywhere. I have finally found some 10mm at B&Q can I mix that with my compost? I'm worried its to big. Thank you. 

  • paulk2paulk2 Posts: 184
    Carol Rawsthorne wrote (see)

    I have been having trouble finding grit anywhere. I have finally found some 10mm at B&Q can I mix that with my compost? I'm worried its to big. Thank you. 

    Carol - if 10mm gravel is too large for you (which it might be for some purposes), B&Q also sell pea shingle in bags in their builders yard area which is around 3mm-5mm. I think Wickes also sell pea shingle.

     

     

  • You can use pea shingle but wash it well first in a bucket. Quite cheap from B & Q 

    Add some leaf mould and you will get some great results

  • GWRSGWRS Posts: 8,477

    Hello   depends what you are using it for for top dressing on soil I use 10 mm pebles from B& Q

    also in bottom of large pots 

    If it is for top dressing for pots I use agricultural grit from garden centres image

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