Vermiculite

Qualitymark

Where can I buy vermiculite in south inner Dublin? Thought Homebase in Rathfarnham had it, but they'd never heard of it.

Outkast_IRE

Qualitymark wrote: »

Where can I buy vermiculite in south inner Dublin? Thought Homebase in Rathfarnham had it, but they'd never heard of it.

I usually get it in B&Q , usually i mix in perlite too.

moonshadow

Any decent hardware store should have it, mostly used to insulate chimneys.

Qualitymark

Thanks; I'll try Lenihan's in Rathmines (sadly about to close after 65 years).

Qualitymark

I got vermiculite in the Oasis garden shop on Terenure Road North; an occasion of sin, as out the back of the shop they have a sea of wonderful plants - came away with an everlasting wallflower and a beautiful deep blue aquilegia with huge flowers…

It strikes me to wonder if vermiculite might be available, and be cheaper, and be the same quality, in builders' suppliers, as roofers use it when installing flues for stoves in chimneys.

Sonnenblumen

I think Woodies stocks it?

peadar76

For what purpose is vermiculite used in the garden?

Supercell

Probably a bit far out for the OP but Windy Ridge in Deansgrange definitely does it.
Peader - I use it when sowing seeds into pots that don't need much of a covering up - it keeps them moist, prevents fungus on the soil forming and prevents stray wind blown seeds germinating on the pot.

Qualitymark

Vermiculite is useful when you're sowing seeds in compost, because it aerates the soil (making damping-off - mould - less likely, and yet helps the soil to hold enough moisture.

It's good for mixing into potting compost for the same reason - it acts in a similar way to sharp sand, and allows drainage while keeping the soil moist.

Vermiculite is a type of clay, I think, but it's similar to super-light stones like pumice. Here's a wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vermiculite