How we use pumice stone in gardening
June 28, 2022
Elafropetra, a natural soil improver that helps aerate the soil and better drain water.
It is a natural mineral of volcanic origin, which has important applications in the agricultural sector and in horticulture as a soil improvement material.
Pumice stone improves the physical properties in the soil, as it makes it fluffier, ensures good aeration for plant root development, retains moisture, while also helping to remove excess water during watering.
Besides pumice, there are other natural minerals used in agriculture and horticulture as soil improvers with similar properties, such as perlite, zeolite, kaolin and attapulgite.
Let’s see in detail what uses pumice stone has in gardening and what advantages it offers to our plants, so that we can use it in our garden and balcony to enjoy healthy plants with lush vegetation and wonderful flowering.
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How pumice is used in plants and crops
Pumice is commercially available in various grain sizes, from 2-3 millimeters to 3-4 centimeters in diameter.
The natural properties of pumice stone are used in horticulture and agriculture for the needs of plants: a) as a soil conditioner, b) as a drainage base in pots, c) as a soil improvement material and d) as a substrate for hydroponic crops.
Light stone, a natural soil conditioner
1. Light stone as a component in potting soil
Pumice stone is a raw material in several potting mixes on the market and we purchase them to fill our pots and planters. In topsoil, pumice stone is usually contained together with peat, compost, manure and perlite in various proportions depending on their use as planting substrates.
We use small grain pumice stone in the topsoil to make it more effective as a material. The use of pumice stone in planting substrates offers better aeration of the plant roots, good water drainage and a significant reduction in the overall weight of the pots.
We will meet pumice stone both in garden beds for amateur use, but also in garden beds used professionally in nurseries for the production of vegetable and flower plants.
We can make our own fluffy topsoil using pumice to fill our patio and balcony patio and balcony pots and planters by mixing peat, compost, perlite and pumice in a 7:1:1:1 ratio.
How do we choose topsoil?
2. Pumice stone as a drainage base in pots
Pumice stone can be used to make a drainage layer at the base of pots and planters to remove excess water after watering and not to rot the root system of the plants.
For this case, we use pumice stone with a larger grain, with a diameter of at least 1 centimeter. We should point out that using pumice stone beats adding gravel or pebbles as it is a very light material that makes it easier to move around for our pots and planters.
How to choose pots for plants
3. Light stone as a soil improvement material
Pumice is a natural soil conditioner that is incorporated into the soil by carving or plowing before planting to improve heavy soils and make them looser and suitable for cultivation.
The addition of pumice stone can be done at any time of the year and is ideal for growing vegetables, aromatic plants and fruit trees.
Especially before seeding and planting a lawn, incorporating pumice into the soil significantly helps the lawn grow better. The addition of pumice improves aeration in the lawn’s root system and water drainage, limiting fungal disease infestation.
Soil improvement materials to improve the physical properties of the soil
4. Pumice stone as a substrate in hydroponic crops
Pumice stone in special bags is widely used in hydroponic cultures as a substrate for planting vegetable and flower plants, as it is an inert material, has a neutral pH and helps to support the root system of plants grown in the hydroponic substrate.
And a secret about the uses of pumice stone
In addition to agricultural uses, pumice stone is widely used in construction and industrial activities, due to its low specific gravity, mechanical strength, thermal insulation properties as well as its resistance to fire.
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