I saw this link on Craigslist for $12.00 - coarse grade - http://winstonsalem.craigslist.org/grd/1145789706.html.

I have been looking a little myself. There is an AGWAY in West Chester (not sure where you are located) that has medium vermiculite and coarse perlite. I don't know the price. The individual I spoke to on the phone said that they wouldn't have it in stock until Friday afternoon though!

Thanks Goki and Eaglesgarden. I called the West Chester Agway and they said the medium vermiculite would be $25. Uline in Allentown has vermiculite for packing. I'm pretty sure it's the same stuff. Their price is $23 for 4 cubic feet of course vermiculite and if I don't find a cheaper source soon I think I'm going to go with them. Shipping is about $8 a bag but I live in Havertown and it would have been a bit of a drive to West Chester and I'd rather have the course vermiculite. If anybody knows of a reason to not use the packing vermiculite please let me know. Thanks again!

So, you are going to pay $31/bag of 4 cu. ft? Why is the price so different around the country?

Yes, it's a 40 min drive for me to West Chester and considering the time and gas and that I'd rather the course grade it's worth the extra $22 for me. (I need 4 bags and shipping is $30.)

I don't know why the price varies so much but it is very frustrating. We did sfg 3 years ago when we lived in Utah and it was much easier to find and much cheaper!

By the way, uline will ship the same day if you get your order in by 6pm and ups estimate delivery time to this area is one day. Another reason why it's worth it to me.

Found another source!

W H Milikowski
38 industrial circle, lancaster
877-354-7010

$13.15 4 cu ft course vermiculite

Now that is worth driving for!

I understand...if my sister-in-law didn't live 5-10 minutes away from the Agway, I probably would too. I would prefer the coarse, but as of right now, I don't think I want to spend that much in SHIPPING. I might just wait a little before making new beds, and see if I can find something a little cheaper in the meantime. If not, Uline should still be in business (fingers crossed!).

ne 23,

That is a great price. That is not worth driving for by itself, but the food out that way is too good to pass up. I might just have to drive out there and pick some up...then I might get a little hungry and need to stop by a buffet...or two!!!

Thanks for providing the phone #! I plan to call ahead to make sure there is some in stock and on reserve before I head out.

I can vouch for WH Milikowski. I live 20 minutes from them and that's where I got my 4 bags of vermiculite. Hard to beat that price.

Here is a link that might be useful: Luke's SF Victory Garden

It's a bit of a long way to go from Philly, but after calling all over central NJ I finally found 4CF bags of horticultural grade course vermiculite for $14.50 at Bartell Farm & Garden Supplies in Clark, NJ (right off of the GSP, exit 135).

You could also try contacting the manufacturer to see who might carry it locally:

The Schundler Company
150 Whitman Ave
Edison, NJ 08817

732-287-2244

http://www.schundler.com/

I found another one:

Griffin Greenhouse & Nursery Supplies, Inc.
200 Mountain View Road
Morgantown, PA 19543
(610) 286-0046

6 cu ft coarse vermiculite 22.18

I called and they have it in stock.

ne23,

great stuff....if I can ask what method of searching are you using???

Ha! Lots and lots of calling. I found the last one in a round about way using the info from sqftsteve. Thank you.:) I'm still hoping I'll find one closer to me before Saturday.

By the way, in case anyone else is looking, the Griffin Greenhouse place has locations in Ewing and Bridgeton NJ as well as NY, CT, MA, ME, VA, TN, and GA. You can find phone #'s here: http://www.griffins.com/locations/index.asp