Horticultural Grit...

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by lizzie Grouch, Nov 29, 2021.

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What's your preferred brand of grit?

  1. Branded - i.e. Westland, RHS etc

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  2. Un-branded - B&Q, Homebase own-brand etc

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  1. Perki

    Perki Total Gardener

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    I normally use sharp sand from a builders merchant - B&M are where ever . B&m didn't have any sharp sand for some bulb planting so I picked up a bag of horti sharp sand from garden centre cost about £1 or so extra , I must say it is much nicer than ordinary sharp sand it coarser and feels better when handling it . I were getting grit for a change but it is rather expensive for what it is .
     
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    • Tomcat

      Tomcat Gardener

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      So there you have it @lizzie Grouch ! Look forward to hearing about the progress of your borders !! :)
       
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      • pete

        pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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        Must admit I found that the horticultural grit does appear to be sharper and grittier, and better for top dressing pots etc.

        Earlier in the year I bought a bulk bag of type 1 roadstone, it looked like limestone, it was very white in colour, but when I washed it it was really nice pieces of granite, actually used some for top dressing around some agaves and it looked good.

        Bought another bag a bit later expecting similar and it was just a lot of white stone chippings, broken concrete mostly I'd guess.
         
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        • gks

          gks Total Gardener

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          So I believe, they also have to take in to account the mixing, rpm and time.

          Same for us when making compost, so for a peat based multipurpose, the fertiliser and lime goes in first, then the peat is added. The mixer is on a set rpm, when mixing you also have to take in to account loading and discharge time. If the compost stays to long in the mixer its starts to destroy the texture of the peat. If you don't allow enough time and discharge to quick, then your fertiliser and lime will not be mixed evenly through the load.
           
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          • JWK

            JWK Gardener Staff Member

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            It varies depending which road it's being scraped up from. I had a couple of bulk bags of MoT type 1 which was very red limestone, when compacted it sets like concrete.
             
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            • lizzie Grouch

              lizzie Grouch Apprentice Gardener

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              Thanks Everyone - much appreciated.

              The area has just been laid to lawn and I want to create some different planting areas. I also want to plant my potted trees - they've all been in pots for approx 13 years and getting too big.

              A Wollemi Pine, Ginko, Monkey Puzzle, Acers, Ferns, Palms, but worried about the soil and drainage - hence the HORTI-GRIT. They've always thrived in pots - but becoming increasingly difficult to manage as they mature.

              I'd like to add to this and also seasonal colourways (this needs a bit of research!)

              Thanks again
              Lizzie
               
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              • Lem

                Lem Keen Gardener

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                I generally grow cacti, which loves free draining soil, so I use a cactus compost at about 50% , perlite at about 30% and mix in grit about 20%, this works well for me.
                I used a horticultural grit in the past, but nowadays as my son in law drives for Tarmac , he brings home a bucket of 3-6mm grit , I just wash it well, and I’ve had no problems :thumbsup:
                 
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                • Upsydaisy

                  Upsydaisy Total Gardener

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                  By the way @lizzie Grouch ..
                  [​IMG]

                  Don't forget to post some pics please....we luv them!!:heehee:
                   
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                  • Glynne Williams

                    Glynne Williams Keen Gardener

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                    Years ago I taught Rural Science in a Somerset shire school. When mixing compost I used Cornish Grit. Wonderful stuff and we even used it for hydroponics. Now can't get it anywhere. Would be perfect for my Salvias. Does anyone use it and where do you buy it please?
                     
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                    • JWK

                      JWK Gardener Staff Member

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                      • pete

                        pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                        • JWK

                          JWK Gardener Staff Member

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                          £7.75 for 25kg seems reasonable to me, but postage will be a lot if bought online.
                           
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                          • pete

                            pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                            Well yeah just looking around that seems about normal price.
                            This stuff really has shot up in price:yikes:

                            One bag goes nowhere.:sad:

                            It says free delivery over £30 but I'm guessing that is in the local area.
                             
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                            • pete

                              pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                              Sorry John, had to laugh to myself.
                              Visions of the poor old postman struggling up the road with it and trying to get it through the letter box.:biggrin:
                               
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                              • JWK

                                JWK Gardener Staff Member

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                                True, but if it's just for potting a few succulents it would last. I get through a couple of 25kg bags of sharp sand a year and maybe the same of grit.
                                 
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