Re: Soil amendments
perennials@hort.net
  • Subject: Re: Soil amendments
  • From: &* <k*@comcast.net>
  • Date: Tue, 14 Jun 2011 19:10:12 -0500
Title: Soil amendments
I've used chicken grit when potting succulents and occasionally for outdoor plantings like lavender that want sharp drainage.  Like Don said, it is granite; it's not going to decompose.
 
I used to use sharp builders sand  in our clay soil but one year, after I spread it, but before I could till it, a storm broke out and I left it just turned under, intending to come back as soon as I could.  The weather turned quickly cold and I couldn't get to to it. When I finally did, yes, I had cement.  I had heard this could happen, but seeing is believing.  It was as if someone had dumped chunks of old sidewalk into the bed.  You can break up clay with humus so I now just add Canadian peat or composted leaves.
 
Kitty
neIN, Zone 5
----- Original Message -----
From: l*@wi.rr.com
To: p*@hort.net
Sent: Tuesday, June 14, 2011 4:18 PM
Subject: Soil amendments

Those of us who grow cacti and succulents need something to loosen up the soil and won?t break down over time (like peat or coir).  Those in the western states use pumice (not too many volcanoes here in Wisconsin ? the only thing erupting is our state capitol!).  Other people use fired ceramic products like Oil-Dry, Stall-Dry or similar, but the consistency of those products seems to vary.  The chicken grit I obtain here (have to travel a ways from the city to the local Farm/Fleet store) is crushed granite (I?d stay away from products sometimes called ?decomposed granite?), about the size of cat litter and works fine for me, although I only use it for potted plants.

Sand and gravel can be used, but again, the grain size is very important.  Use beach or play box sand (both smooth, round particle size) in our clay soil and you get cement!  Better to use a product variously known as builders sand, sharp sand or torpedo sand because of it?s sharp or angular particle size.


Don Martinson
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

l*@wi.rr.com




On 6/14/11 2:48 PM, "Jeaa0088@aol.com" <Jeaa0088@aol.com> wrote:
I've heard of chicken grit used to lighten heavy soils...how do you use it? Do you get it from feed stores? Does it degrade over time?
 
Thanks, Joanie Anderson
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