Born from volcanic glass, baked in a high-temperature oven,
and available at your local garden superstore, perlite is one of nature’s most
efficient and functional soil amendments.
Perfect soil for
your garden would
drain well,
filter
efficiently,
be free of
diseases and insects,
insulate roots,
deliver
nutrients to roots,
be inexpensive,
avoid compacting…we could continue, but you get
the idea. Why is this relevant? Because perlite helps your soil to do all of
those things.
When mixed with
soil, perlite keeps soil aerated. Its low
density and pockets of air keep soil from compacting very tightly around
it, and as a result, roots can easily reach deeply into perlite. This aerated
soil drains water effectively too. In addition to soil aeration, perlite holds
moisture excellently, but does not become soggy like most soils and additives.
Its unique air qualities also balance soil temperature and insulate roots
against rapid temperature changes.
What else makes
perlite great? Well, conveniently, it’s toxin-free and therefore safe for
plants. Most other soil additives bring with them the risk of disease to plants
as well as unique insects and weeds. Perlite is
a sterile mineral (due in large part to the high-temperature expansion process)
and also has a neutral pH.
Though most plants will grow in pure perlite, the most
effective use of the substance is as an additive to your normal garden soil.
Garden experts recommend a 50/50 split between normal, loamy soil and perlite.
If you’re just looking to give your garden a boost, then try digging down into your garden soil about six inches. Then
add about four inches of perlite before covering in your normal soil again.
This layer of perlite at the root level of plants will give benefits to your
garden produce where it counts–at the roots.
Remember, perlite is inorganic which means it will not
decompose. This is great news for today’s gardener because the perlite you put
into your garden beds will stay there for years to come. So before
planting next year, consider adding perlite to your list of preparations and
enjoy the benefits of this volcanic glass every season!
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