Should You Add Perlite to Your Soil?

If you are wanting to garden the first thing that you need to tend to is your dirt. All soil should be tested and inspected. You need to know what you have to work with.

A great addition to any type of soil is the natural volcanic glass called perlite. Perlite is a great amendment to all soils as it will help with drainage but will have little effect on the pH level of your dirt.

Perlite is very lightweight and the price is relatively cheap. Shop around to get the best buy, If you are a true farmer, talking acres and acres of dirt, then you will get a better deal than just the average home gardener.

Adding perlite to your soil will benefit your plants tremendously. If you live in an area with heavy clay soil adding perlite to your dirt is key to being able to grow healthy, hearty plants. Perlite will help plant roots penetrate through the heavy clay. If perlite is not used your plants will not be able to establish a strong root base and will eventually die.

Perlite will also prevent water from standing. It is a great drainage source but it will not completely deprive your soil of moisture. It will also prevent root damage to your plants if you live in an area that experiences extreme temperature changes throughout the growing season.

Perlite is not only used in large-scale farming operations. A home gardener will benefit greatly from using perlite.

Perlite is an ideal choice for flower beds and also a great medium for planting shrubs and trees around your home.

Perlite can also be used alone and is a great choice for large potted plants. Perlite is very light and you will be able to move larger-scale planters using just perlite as your soil. Also perlite is a great choice for potted plants because it is sterile and completely weed free.

If you have a greenhouse perlite is a great option to start your plants in. Perlite is also used in hydroponic gardening and is what gardeners will use to start new plants from cuttings.

Perlite is a very economical choice to use as the benefits that perlite provides your garden will last for many years.

When adding perlite to your dirt make sure to thoroughly work the amendment into the soil by spading or by tilling to distribute it evenly.