[Barry C]

Planning for spring really.
I used to use a 100ltr sack of perlite a few years ago mixed into my compost for growing tomatoes in pots and for growing on plants to go in planters, liked the 'open' texture it gave.
Also used to use vermiculite as a topping for seeds, but looking at the cost of these things these days was wondering if it is worthwhile or just use grit?
Wondered about coconut coir, which can be bought in blocks for a reasonable price, intend using quite a few tubs/planters and filling the new salad bed area so might be going through a few bags of potting compost.

cheers 

[Paul Plots]

I think it was a bag of vermiculite that I had... got it years ago but can't recall why.

I liked using it as a light topping when sowing fine seeds. Once it was all used I did not buy another as the prices seemed high.

Is it cost effective to use as an ingredient in sowing mediums?

[sunshineband]

I buy perlite from an ebay source and find it works out at about 16p per litre, which seems fairly reasonable to me. I buy a very large sack and just keep it in the shed

[Barry C]

Thanks for that, will see about perlite if the price is good.

Anyone use coconut coir?

[Gardener and Rabbit]

I used coir this year for potting tomato and chilli plants, and some seeds. Liked it, and will use it again if I can find the blocks.  Very light to handle too in the blocks.

[Yorkie]

I don't think I'd use coir or grit as a topping for freshly sown seeds, particularly if the seed is small, because the developing seedling might find it difficult to push its way through.  One of the good points about perlite / vermiculite is that it is very small and lightweight, so does not impede growth.

[Growster...]

Interesting discussion!

Just a thought, would a sowing on some Rockwool or other roof insulation work?

[Gardener and Rabbit]

After a season's use in pots, the spent coir would make a good soil improver.  It's supposed to have anti-fungal properties, and something rotted off a lot of my shallots this year, so I'm just trying an experiment; I've planted my garlic and shallots in holes filled with the spent coir.

[Barry C]

Righty, a plan forming !

Will buy a 100 ltr bag of perlite to add to compost @ 10% mix to 'open up' compost in containers.

Will also try some coir as an experiment, also grit! See which performs best.

Have used vermiculite in the past covering seeds which worked well!

Got a 'builders shopping bag' half full of old bark and rotted leaves this morning, two of us just and so managed to lift it into the car, gravity helped when I got home. So the salad plot plans for next season are coming along nicely!

Who would have thought the delivery of a good old fashioned seed catalogue would create such excitement