A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The Food Garden Forum Vegetable Gardening Use in place of vermiculite?? Garden soil mix...

We're starting our first vegetable garden and I am reading some pretty horrific stuff about vermiculite containing asbestos and/or mercury contamination. I know the chances are slim and the amount we are using in our garden is minimal, but I am still very concerned. I have a daughter with a severe auto-immune disease and want to be as safe/organic as possible.

Any suggestions for a good blend for soil for us? I only know of vermiculite because that is the recommendation I keep seeing to blend with compost for square foot gardening, which is what we hope to try.

Thank you in advance,
Manda

After doing some research, it looks like pumice will work to help hold some water and aerate the soil. Now to find some pumice...

Manda,
I saw your post, and I wish I could help you, but sadly I have no good advice.

I never noticed this post, sorry.

You can buy horticultural vermiculite that states 'Asbestos free' right on the bag.

The old vermiculite pit(in Montana I think)...was closed down 20 years ago because of asbestos contamination.

I've not heard of the mercury issue, but tamara is correct from what I've read, vermiculite is now asbestos free.
Is your soil in that much need of amendments? Vermiculite is mostly used in seed startin and potting soil, not so much in the garden.
You might see if your community composts yard/tree waste, it's often free if you can load and haul it yourself.