Vermiculite: The WEAPON For Fussy Seeds. Is Vermiculite Asbestos?!

Vermiculite is my favourite soil amendment. I love topping seeds with it, i love starting finiky seeds in it! But one question i get often is whethe or not vermiculite is asbestos. This video we will look at exactly that.
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Ashley is a soil scientist who has had a passion for plants since she was a small child. In the long summers as a child, she would garden alongside her grandmother and it was then that she realized her love for greenery. With years of great studying, Ashley had begun her p
ost-secondary education at the University of Saskatchewan.
At first, her second love, animals, was the career path she chose but while doing her undergrad she realized that her education would take her elsewhere. And with that, four years later she graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a bachelor’s degree in science and a major in Soil Science.
Some of Ashley’s interests are KZbin, in which she posts informative videos about plants and gardening. The focus of Ashley’s KZbin channel is to bring science to gardening in a way that is informative but also helpful to others learning to garden. She also talks about the importance of having your own garden and the joys of gardening indoors. Ashley continues to study plants in her free time and hopes to expand her KZbin channel as well as her reach to up-and-coming gardeners.
Disclaimer
This description or comments section may contain links to affiliate websites. I receive a commission for any purchases made by you on the affiliate website using such a link. This includes the gardening in Canada website. You should assume all links both on the gardening in Canada KZbin, Blog, and all other social media are affiliates and I will receive compensation.

[@GardeningInCanada]

When it comes to vermiculite I like using the course grade for starting finicky seeds. Such as this one geni.us/FXHPw And then for topping off seed starts I like a finer grade. Like this: geni.us/UEYSUZ You could honestly take the course grade and send it through the blender to make a fine grade. 😅

[@davec1117]

Couple of days ago was looking for a bag to transfer some potting soils into and came across an old vermiculite bag, empty, still hanging around used it. This was a very fine size vermiculite I've never found since. Price sticker was $5.88cdn for 18L bought from a long gone nursey chain White Rose in the 90's in Ontario. Researching the brand to see if I could still get it, Terra-Lite, found they were a brand out of W.R. Grace & Co. who it turns out owned the Libby Montana mine. Somewhere I came across the number 26% of the vermiculite they were shipping was contaminated with asbestos, shipped internationally too. Warnings on the bag about breathing the dust, avoid eye contact, 'avoid creating dust'...

[@GardeningInCanada]

Oh wow!!! That’s totally insane!

[@davec1117]

It is! It was March 6th I'd made 2" soilblocks, found the old vermiculite bag and did the research. Took a couple pictures to document the bag as I'd been discussing the 'fine' vermiculite hunt with someone around here who was using a bag of a fine one in an Instagram post. Her's looks to be no longer available as well.

[@joplumridge3974]

Ha! White Rose! I have great memories of going there with my mom and grandmother

[@shawnsg]

There's a older gentleman seller at the farmers market who was telling me he used to work at an army depot where they installed sheets of asbestos on the bottoms of vehicles. He said they just cut it under the vehicle and would crawl out with it all over there faces. Lol not to laugh but I just stood there in shock.

[@donadams2419]

I heard that vermiculite contained asbestos and did not use it. I then heard that perlite did the same thing as vermiculite, so I started using perlite to help retain water and to help create air space in the potting mix. Now I know better. Now I know what vermiculite and perlite are used for and their purpose in germinating seeds and their use in potting mix. Thank you for sharing this nerdy info. Much appreciated.

[@microbi.al6]

This is true for silica too! Don't really want to breathe it in but precautions can be taken :)

[@GardeningInCanada]

Yes absolutely! Great example

[@elizabethdaniels629]

I've heard the EU is looking to ban silica-based engineered stone due to this!

[@jgsawka]

I've used vermiculite minimally in the past but now I'm definitely going to start using it more! Thanks!!

[@GardeningInCanada]

It’s my favourite soilless medium

[@PraxisPrepper]

Great video. I'm a vermiculite fan too. It's mica popcorn! :)

[@GardeningInCanada]

The best!

[@joplumridge3974]

I started using vermiculite thanks to your videos and it has been a game changer. One note about it I just learned last week. If you forget to close the bag and leave it on the porch, mice may get into it, and scare the bejabbers out of you 😂

[@GardeningInCanada]

Oh god lol … im terrified of mice sooo that’s now going into a plastic bin with a lid!

[@ZeFeratu]

Vermiculite is AMAZING! I have not had a single damping off issue since I started using it, and my fungus gnats have decreased so much. (I vermicompost indoors, and don't typically have any issues, but if I overfeed or overwater, the problem starts and is so hard to turn it around due to all of my plants.) Since I already have the vermicompost indoors, I always preferred to use it when making my potting mix (garden soil, vermicompost, coco coir, chunky perlite & vermiculite) and up until a couple of weeks ago, I sifted my potting mix to start seedlings in, then covered with a layer of vermiculite. Good stuff so far! I recently heard it's better to start seeds in completely inert material so that they do not become dependent upon such great starting conditions. That seems logical to me, and I like to test things out, so I have opted to put a layer of my sifted potting mix on the bottom 10% of the seed starting tray and then I will add Coco coir on top of that and then top with vermiculite after planting the seed. My thought is that while the seed is in the process of germinating it will not have any access to the nutrients at the bottom, and as the root grows it will eventually get to those nutrients so that it is slightly less dependent on me catching it at the perfect moment to bump up. I would love to hear your thoughts (from anyone) on this. Not that I'm going to forgo my experiment. 😂 I'm just curious about what others think about it.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Right! It’s wild

[@myrustygarden]

My husband has banned it from our house he’s old school that it’s asbestos 😢. It’s ok I fight my battles this isn’t one of them 😊. Sadly third world suppliers do not test the same as Canada and USA 😢😢

[@GardeningInCanada]

Hah that’s fair.

[@michaeldunlavey1322]

Actually, the US and Canada will not allow the materials to be imported if the material is not tested and proven to not have asbestos. Also, most medium and fine vermiculite are mined in Virginia and South Carolina. The only mine known to have contamination is Libby, MT.

[@mendicantcrow]

I've been wondering about this for years! Someone told me vermiculite was asbestos when I was a teenager and I've been scared to use it since. Totally gonna try it out this year

[@Gardenfrog]

Thank you. I have always been nervous about using vermiculite because I wasn’t sure about the asbestos issue. Glad you mentioned avoiding breathing in dusts from soil that the are not good for the lungs. This is so important in general. Like you, I tend to wet things down when I can and wear a mask when using the wood chipper. Maybe those cowboys with their bandanas knew a thing or two. Have a great day.

[@GardeningInCanada]

You are so welcome!

[@deeenvy]

Great video! I have used vermiculite for many years and would be lost without it. I have just recently purchased vermiculite and perlite in 4 cu ft batches. That should last a week or so. Lol

[@paulbrammer1596]

It's very hard to find vermiculite with asbestos these days. I used to do inspections on houses in BC and there's still some in attics of older places built in the 60s and 70s. Main thing is not to disturb it and get it tested. Most of it is fine, it's really just luck of the draw whether it came from Libby or not.

[@GardeningInCanada]

That is so interesting! I know my attic used to have it but it was removed and a different insulation was put up there. Would that make sense?

[@paulbrammer1596]

Absolutely. Most of the houses that originally had it no longer do. There were big programs and a class action lawsuit where abatement companies would come in to remove it and replace with fibreglass. It started to be phased out in the early 80s for new builds because fibreglass became much cheaper.

[@LaserRifle]

I worked in an attic with Libby Vermiculite (Zonolite bags). Now I al worried.

[@elizabethdaniels629]

I am in the construction industry and encounter the asbestos/vermiculite issue all the time in renovations or just in conversation. This video explains the history, circumstances, and production better than some of the professors I had in school! I have already shared this video with some of my coworkers plan to reference it in the future. One thing I wonder though (not gardening related mind you), is if the asbestos in vermiculite was capitalized on? Asbestos was commonly used for its fire-resistance and I have seen concrete block walls used as fire-rated partitions filled with vermiculite. If anyone here knows I would love to hear your thoughts! Also, I now sprinkler vermiculite on top of my seedlings thanks to your recommendation, game changer :)

[@b_lumenkraft]

I would recommend FFP3/N95 masks though. Because the mecal masks let air in at the sides. They are meant as spit protection not to filter air. Filtering air was never their intended use case. The FFP3/N95 masks though are formed in a way so that you can have them tight to your face. This way you really breath THROUGH the mask not past it.

[@debbielavers9836]

I have been using vermiculite since I’ve been watching your channel. It made a big difference in the mold on seedlings. Thank you again for making gardening a little easier!

[@GardeningInCanada]

No problem!

[@clemqueens1943]

Hello Ashley-from Michigan, I have been using both coarse and fine for years. It protects the seedlings from damping off and holds moisture for the seeds to germinate. I use it every year to store my Dahlias. Once the tubers are clean, I label them and place them in a plastic bag lined crate with moistened vermiculite then cover with burlap. It works so well in keeping the tubers from drying out and I can re-use it every year. Love your channel!

[@janw491]

I used to work on a class action to do with asbestos. ‘They’ knew asbestos was dangerous way back in the 1920s it was the big dirty secret and has killed millions across the world and is still killing. Good to know it’s not in horticulture. I love vermiculite

[@GardeningInCanada]

Wow…. That’s really sad 😔 how did they sleep at night

[@WhatWeDoChannel]

Thanks for this! You are smart, all the places I thought you would go wrong, you didn’t! I learned about this from an article that talked about an asbestos mine that always gave away free vermiculite to the local residents, and then gave them cancer because the two ores were mixed together! These days I worry about diatomaceous earth use, it was once used in very large wineries as a filter medium but they discovered it was harmful to winery workers. Now gardeners are using the stuff as an insecticide, it’s building up in peoples soil and it’s bad for your lungs!

[@79PoisonBreaker]

I do not fear asbestos but I do treat it with utmost respect. I can not remember the exact size that is damaging but did take a hazmat course on how to handle it and most is not a issue as only specific particulate sizes are dangerous and that same size of anything is dangerous for our lungs ( difference as I understand is asbestos stays logged forever where others can work out of your system in time). thanks for clearing up potental of hazard.

[@Genevadancingbunny8]

Can you do fluval stratum in your series next? It’s become all the rage for indoor plant propagating

[@GardeningInCanada]

I have a video on this! It’s legit because it’s just soil kzbin.info/www/bejne/omHWqaabq69qsM0si=PLBZfKe_nBxIf97W

[@tomhigson3989]

Kind of scary to think of. We just started using lots of vermiculite at work. Thanks for making it clear.

[@GardeningInCanada]

It is pretty wild that just a bit of rock in the wrong place can cause a massive environmental catastrophe.

[@tulsiramdagur9580]

बहुत बढ़िया जानकारी है,वर्मीकोलाईट के बारे में। धन्यवाद ❤

[@GardeningInCanada]

Anytime! Also I love how KZbin translates your comments for me ❤🎉

[@susiea1419]

Great video Ashley! I’ve always added vermiculite to compost but sparingly so will be ramping it up for my seedlings etc. Thanks for debunking the rumours. By the way I’m from North Yorkshire in the UK

[@GardeningInCanada]

That's a great idea!

[@Utah_Mike]

💯 great content

[@GardeningInCanada]

❤❤ great comment 😉

[@angelad.8944]

When in doubt, use a mask. I always throw on a mask when mixing my mediums and when working in dusty garden conditions. It really is worth it. It doesn't have to be a heavy material in the mask, just a finer weave to keep the dust out.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Great tip!

[@carolstuff]

I always use vermiculite & it’s awesome. Thanks for sharing Ashley!

[@lululush7305]

Thanks for the tip! It seems to have helped my starts! PS: my hubs is awesome and brings coffee too, definitely a turn on! 🤣💕

[@GardeningInCanada]

Love it!!

[@philee2020]

I love perlite and vermiculite but I definitely can tell it can be damaging to breathing in the dust it produces😅 I find with vermiculite especially not all brands offer the same type/grade. I find the finer textured kind to work best as a seed-starting top dress.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Yes! I always water mine down because other wise I’ll be on the treadmill gasping 😅

[@hannahbeertz1231]

I just picked some up to add to the top of my seedling trays. Only thing is it’s harder to tell how much moisture is in the soil now because it’s covered.

[@dreamlovermimi9458]

The home depots here dont sell vermiculite. Its almost always perlite , cow manure thats 1$ per bag, peat moss, and potting soil . And tons of fertlizer

[@GardeningInCanada]

Oh that’s crazy!

[@annettevanderklippe1653]

I love to add vermiculite to my pots for flowers. I mix my own soil in with potting soil so it needs something to lighten it up.

[@shelleyrodanisky944]

Love your channel!💕

[@GardeningInCanada]

Thank you so much!!

[@sathancat]

I made friends with vermiculite when growing mushrooms. I'll use it on occasion for seed(/lings)... never even thought about asbestos 😧

[@justimmense]

It is way better to be paranoid. If you've ever been through asbestos testing w/remodeling, you know how serious it's taken! That said, other countries have low to non existant standards, and import testing is def not as rigorous as it should be. Asbestos is still showing up in modern products in the USA. 😔

[@56243G]

I've loved vermiculite for seed starting and potting soil as long as I can remember. I'm having trouble lately finding the right texture. Wish it was size graded like aggregate or something.

[@miriambartley6622]

I use vermiculite on all my small seeds- snapdragons, pansies, English Daisys, petunias....

[@GardeningInCanada]

Yes I agree flowers seeds hands down the secret! 😊

[@ninokwim7700]

thanks

[@Lance.pigman]

I have like 50 pepper seeds to plant. What do you think Ashley, vermiculite or peat moss? I’ve never ever tried vermiculite before

[@b_lumenkraft]

So this is funny. You said "there is testing in America and Canada. And I'm sure this testing extends to the UK and Australia because it's now internationally not being a great thing". As a German, I feel unseen. Outside of America means Europe, Africa, or Asia. The UK and Australia are not representative for us internationals. :P ;)

[@waynesell3681]

Thanks!

[@GardeningInCanada]

Welcome!

[@jeffkroeger946]

I guess I’m a little paranoid, there’s probably companies that make vermiculite that still have asbestos in them until they get caught by the EPA, Just like Johnson and Johnson got caught for asbestos, in their talcum powder. And then you have the fruits and vegetables that are organic but who’s doing the testing? I used to have a private pesticide license, and when going to the meetings to get my credits, some of the spokes people from the different spray, companies mentioned that only 2% of the fruits and vegetables are checked at the ports coming into the United States.

[@GardeningInCanada]

I mean… that’s true we put a lot of faith in these testing bodies. Whether it’s organic labelling, food safe labelling etc. it comes down the quality of the organization most times. This one is government regulated so do with that what you will.

[@jeffkroeger946]

@@GardeningInCanada I guess what it comes down to is, if you’re fortunate enough to have a plot of land, grow your own. And maybe in the wintertime grow micro greens, thanks

[@hanswurst1125]

🍅🥦Hello :-) I have a question. I use 10% vermiculite for my soil mix for fast growing vegetables. When i mix the soil, i feel like the vermiculite totally breaks apart in 10000 pieces. Does the vermiculte anyways add its value to the soil, even it breaks apart? And what you think about my soil-mix for fast growing vegetables?🍅🥦: 40%peat,10%Coco, 10%wormcastings,10%compost, 10%Vermiculit,10%Ricehuls,5%Pumice,5%Biochar. (+organic fertilizer) I would love to hear your opinions! What are your ideas for a better mix? 🙂

[@va3svd]

You should have thrown up that old NBC kid’s program “the more you know” graphic after your advice to wet the material.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Hahahahaha

[@Le_Brick420]

This is a great informative video because predator mites are packed in vermiculite and inquiring minds want to know, lol. Thank you

[@GardeningInCanada]

That’s true! They definitely are

[@peacefulgarden]

Vermiculite = Original pop rocks 😉🎉

[@GardeningInCanada]

Ahahahahahah this is legit laughed out loud

[@NickFrom1228]

When I was a kid we insulated our house with the contaminated stuff. If we had only know then what we know now.

[@carmendoyle9786]

My grandfather passed from abeatis they found it in the paint the were making so sad ! U cold not see his lungs in X-rays ! I use it in my seeds start ! I carful nit to breath it

[@GardeningInCanada]

Wow that’s horrible

[@kendravoracek3636]

💚💚

[@GardeningInCanada]

❤️❤️❤️

[@dianelarwood597]

Where did you get the green seed starting tray?

[@GardeningInCanada]

Here you go! kzbin.info/www/bejne/iXzEl2enfKx_Y68si=D_S89NsEf9OwcwoC

[@BH-gr2ds]

Mushrooms are also sold in containers like that. I regularly buy them at Costco, as they sell the bigger containers of mushrooms. Just wash the containers, punch some holes in the bottom and they're ready to use for seed sowing. Nice sturdy containers, although you won't have any inserts like Amazon sells with the containers. It works for me.

[@angelad.8944]

I just use the black plastic mushroom containers that hold my mushrooms when I buy them. They work really great.

[@penelopegreenland3537]

will sand work as a vermiculate substitution?

[@exilbayer6377]

No

[@CWorgen5732]

Better off using perlite than sand. It's not the same, but it does more of the same things.

[@tulsiramdagur9580]

Hello friends. I needed blue berry scion ken you help me.

[@ArtFlowersBeeze8815]

Well something else positive besides medical research during covid.. masks. Everybody has one now. Yes, I've noticed gunk when blowing my nose during potting season. So I was using a mask way before this video. Interesting history lesson there Ashley. I hope farmers are wearing masks mitigate inhalation injury. Nobody should breathe in sh*t. Literally!

[@beentheredonethat6584]

After 40 years of using potting mix, now whenever I open a bag I have a bad (breathing) reaction to it. My advice is to always wear a mask when handling dry materials like peat moss, perlite, vermiculite or potting medium until it has been well wetted. If you add some dry material to a bucket of potting mix, spray the area well from a distance before adding water to help keep the dust down. That dust will not hurt you until you are old.

[@wmf1595]

Isn't perlite nearly the same as vermiculite? And aren't they pretty much replacements for each other?

[@GardeningInCanada]

It’s pretty close. I just don’t like perlite because it’s so dang dusty

[@beentheredonethat6584]

No, the two are completely different. One is 'popped' silica and the other is 'popped' mica.

[@angelad.8944]

perlite doesn't hold nutrients

[@BillRowley-e3i]

Worst rice crispies ever. 0/10. Would not eat again.

[@WatchThisSpaceMedia]

I don't trust Vermiculite I think the fine dust will cause health issues whether it contains Asbestos or not any unnatural product doesn't belong in the garden

[@SH-jy6lc]

What to use instead to grow seedlings indoor? Just peat moss?

[@therealdillpickle8806]

Vermiculite is a mineral mined from the ground it's as natural as natural can be. So is asbestos for that matter.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Technically it’s totally natural because it’s bedrock. Which is what soil is. That’s why you want to avoid breathing in even soil dust

[@WatchThisSpaceMedia]

@@GardeningInCanada I thought the toasted the Vermiculite at a high temps in industrial ovens basically turning it into glass and have it turn inside out and then we breath in the dust that's why I tgi k it's unnatural and dangerous

[@WatchThisSpaceMedia]

@@SH-jy6lc We start around 5-6k seedlings a year a 50-50 cocunut coir and either home made sifted compost or cheap unfertilised wood chip based potting mix