[stompy]

Can perlite be used in an organic veg garden?

We have been told that we are going to have 20 bags each dropped of at our plots as it's a new site and the ground is very hard.
Just want to know if i want any or not.

[arugula]

It should be OK to add it:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perlite

[stompy]

Yeh, your probably right.

It just doesn't look organic

We've been offered that or sharp sand, but all the old guys seem to be opting for Perlite?

[arugula]

I don't really know if its founded on much at all, but I've heard concerns being expresed in the past about sharp sand containing too much salt to be added to your soil. That might be a reason for their choice?

[stompy]

I would have thought that the salt would be washed out within a winter or two?

I can't decide. 

[arugula]

Well we use sharp sand without any ill effect... and I suppose you could wash it. See what others say about it too.

[waddecar]

I would certainly take it it will improve soil structure much more effectively than sand, but it can be quite dusty to spread so have a face mask with you.

And save a bag or 2 to mix into your seed compost in the future

[Trillium]

I used perlite to top dress my newly planted seeds and I was happy to find that I didn't get any damping off. I'll be using perlite from now on to top seed beds as I don't like to use chemical damping off preparations. Perlite is as good as grit for heavy soil, and much lighter.

[Kristen]

I've not used it direct on the soil, only in potting compost.  I open the bag carefully not to disturb the dust, and then water the contents of the perlite bag thoroughly before using, otherwise the dust is a nightmare (and probably not good for lungs either)

I wonder if it will blow about, and be ineffective, when it moves up to be on the surface of the soil?