Not sure of your location, but I bought my bag of perlite at Anoka Ramsey Farm and Garden. They are right on Hwy 10 in Ramsey, which is NW of Minneapolis. I'm sure Linders and the other big centers also would have it in stock.

i got quite a large bag of coarse perlite at Leitner's in St. Paul, can't remember how much I paid for it, but didn't seem unreasonable.

Thanks guys.

Ramsey is a bit far for me, but I will check with Linder's. Leitner's looks like the type of place that might carry pine bark as well, which could be useful.

i get pine or fir bark mulch from Home depot and run it through a shredder. About 3.75 a bag. G

If you don't see it at the nursery be sure to ask as they may not sell it on the floor but would sell to someone asking. That worked at my local nursery.

I've purchased big bags of perlite at the Southside Farm Store on 38th and Bloomington in South Minneapolis near Powderhorn.

I bought pine bark fines, chopped small, at Pine Products in Waconia. Also cheap - only $3.00 per 5 gallon pail.