The year beofre last, I found it at the Farmers Market, I think it is called, on Elston and Hamlin in the North side of Chicago and also at Meinke on Touhy and Lehigh in Skokie. I didn't get any last year.

I kept reading in other forums that you can get it from a pool contractor. Vermiculite is used for constructing swimming pools. I have no idea where that can be in the Chicago area.

Wannamakers in Downers Grove on Ogden has carried it in the past- Call to see if they are carrying it this year.

Thanks for the posts. I found it by accident while driving my wife to work over on Randolph about 4-6 blocks east of Halstead on the north side of the street. It's an old garden store so I stopped in.

They have huge bags of Perlite and Vermiculite. The Perlite was in slightly larger pieces more suitable for mixing rather than starting with the Vermiculite. The bags of Perlite were just under $18. I lucked out. If it wasn't for this, then I was off to Wannamakers or the Farmer's Market.

Thanks again.

Thanks for the update! I knew there were wholesale florists in that area, but I never thought of it for growing supplies.

WHOOPS - direction typo.

It's 5-6 blocks WEST of Halstead on the north side of the street.

Wannamakers only carries vermiculite 1 cubic ft bag for 14.99. Does anyone know of places in the suburbs that carry 2 cubic bags or larger? ACE carries the qt. size; Lowes, Home Depot and Menards no longer carries the item. I am not familiar with Chicago,but would be willing to travel to any suburb....Thanks