I'm looking to improve the aeration and drainage of my garden beds, but I really dislike how perlite looks with all those white dots. Right now, my soil is mostly a mix of Miracle-Gro cactus and palm mix. I have access to Home Depot and Amazon, and I'm considering alternatives like pumice, orchid bark, gravel, and gritty sand. Should I aim for a 50/50 mix? Any tips would be super helpful!
3 Answers
I got pumice from Amazon, and honestly, it blends in so well you hardly notice it! Plus, it really helps with drainage without the white color of perlite.
Ever thought about using decorative gravel as a top dressing? It not only looks good but can also help improve drainage.
If you're not into perlite, good alternatives include pumice, scoria, and decomposed granite. Pumice is my go-to, but scoria adds a nice touch too. You can often find decomposed granite marketed as path fines at landscaping stores, which makes a great top dressing and can be mixed into your soil during repotting.