Cheapest Aeration?

[DuskrayTroubador]

Hey all,

What's the cheapest thing to mix into soil for purposes of aeration? Is perlite the cheapest bet?

I've thought about rice hulls but they're expensive compared to perlite. Any other cheap options? Any options to avoid for quality reasons?

Thanks

 

[_tessarecting]

Avoid rice hulls, compare prices between perlite and lava rocks, a mix of both probably being most ideal in terms of effectiveness.

 

[DuskrayTroubador]

Thanks!

I had an itching feeling that rice hulls might end up rotting or contributing to rot.

 

[FoothillFarming]

Why don't you like the rice hulls? Breaks down and provides potassium silicate. Gotta get the non GMO or organic at least.

I find lava rocks at the gravel yard to be the cheapest. I was getting a yard of 5/16 lava for 50$. I cut those with perlite and rice hulls.

 

[WMICoastal]

the cheapest aeration that you will find is gonna be free. think small rocks/stones.,

i always choose lava rock for bulk. It stays put and does the same thing for me in year 1 soil as it does year 10. All of the crevices make great homes for the microlife in the soil.

rice hulls "rotting" is not necessarily a bad thing, it will change the consistency of the soil over time but thats not necessarily bad.

lots of options. good luck.

 

[FoothillFarming]

For the record, I find the aeration to be the least significant part of a soil mix. Keep pumice smaller than 1/2", 1/4" is ideal.