the essentials in brief
- Lava granules(€ 14.00 at Amazon *) does not rot, is breathable and permeable to water
- Lava granules is used as a bed cover, path paving, for soil improvement or simply as a decoration
- For indoor plants, lava granules with a grain size of 2 to 8mm and with 4 parts are used Potting soil mixed with a part of lava granulate
Where can I buy lava granules?
As a single substrate, lava granulate has so far rarely been found in stores. Most home and garden owners are familiar with the natural product as a grit and as an additive in high-quality potted soil for cacti and Mediterranean plants. We looked around the local and virtual market and found the following purchasing sources for you:
- Hardware stores: Obi, Hagebau, Hornbach, Bauhaus
- Garden center: z. B. Rosenhof Schultheiß (Bad Nauheim), Dehner (more than 100 locations)
- Substrate dealer: z. B. Interbims (Eifel)
- Building materials dealer: z. B. Kieskönig (Anhalt-Bitterfeld), Kies-direct (10 locations throughout Germany), Mobau (NRW)
- Online retailer: Amazon, Ebay, Manufactum, Vulcatex
also read
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- Lava mulch - quantum leap for the hobby garden - tips & tricks
- Plant manure: recipe and tips for use
The best prospects for buying lava granules from local stores are in late autumn and winter. Since salt has been banned as a grit in many municipalities, regional dealers are increasingly integrating lava into their product range as an alternative. Savvy hobby gardeners purchase lava granulate in large quantities in big bags or as bulk goods at a significantly reduced price. Buyers who can drive up to the local supplier with a trailer for transport have a clear advantage. A numerical example illustrates the price advantage: 25 kg sack of lava granulate, grain size 8-16 mm, costs from 11.50 euros (0.46 euros / kg). 800 kg big bag lava granulate grain size 8-25 mm costs from 135 euros (0.17 euros / kg) plus 99.90 euros shipping costs.
What use is lava granulate suitable for?
Lava granules are used, among other things, in the garden
Born in the hot core of our planet, lava granules impress with their solid properties. If cooled lava is crushed, a natural product is created with a wide range of useful application scenarios. Pore-rich lava rock has captivating attributes in its luggage. The inorganic material is, among other things, breathable, permeable to water and resistant to rot. The following table summarizes how you can use lava granules skilfully:
| garden | Plant care | Pond / aquarium | grit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed cover | Potting soil aggregate | Plant substrate wet zone | Road salt substitute |
| Path reinforcement | Weed suppression | Decorative element pond edge | Grit on snow |
| Soil improvement | Drainage for buckets | Filter medium | |
| Design element | Moisture storage | Substrate in the aquarium |
Lava granulate fulfills its tasks with flying colors if you mix different grain sizes between 2 and 16 mm. The lava stones tilt and fit together more closely by themselves. This simple trick optimizes the use in the bed, as a filter medium, substrate or as grit in equal measure.
Problem solver in the garden
Lava granulate is the hobby gardener's ace up the sleeve for coping with numerous tasks and diverse problems. The natural product is hard-wearing, water-permeable, breathable, durable and has an insulating effect on the floor. Compared to sand, gravel, gravel and crushed stone is Lava mulch(€ 16.25 at Amazon *) lightweight and easy to distribute. With all the plants in the garden, Lava maintains a harmonious coexistence without conflicts. The following list gives an insight into common areas of application for lava granulate in the garden:
- Weed suppression in beds, under hedges and trees, in grass pavers
- Soil loosening as an aggregate in compacted, waterlogged earth
- Planting base for roses, shrubs, conifers, vegetables, flowers, perennials
- Floor fastening for access routes, driveways, work routes, seats
- Heat storage gives off stored heat to neighboring plants at night
- Erosion blockers prevents soil erosion during heavy rain and thunderstorms
In summer, lava granulate used as mulch reduces the premature evaporation of irrigation water. That keeps that Garden soil Moist and cool longer, which your plants really appreciate. Lava granulate proves this benefit convincingly when the natural product cacti and other succulents lies at your feet as mulch. The floral survivors are better able to divide up low water supplies because the valuable water does not evaporate as quickly. Excessive amounts of water quickly insure deeper soil layers because the drainage function of lava gravel prevents damaging waterlogging. In return, Lavakies effectively buffers severe frost so that roots in the ground do not freeze to death.
Digression
Differentiate between lava granulate and lava mulch
Natural contribution to plant care
Lava granulate stores water and releases it to the plants when needed
If lava granulate comes into play as a substrate component, plants and gardeners alike benefit from numerous advantages. Potting soil becomes loose and airy if you add a few handfuls of lava granules. If you occasionally forget to water, the porous grains will release stored water to the plant roots. Accidental pouring over does not result in damaging waterlogging if a layer of lava granulate lies on the bottom of the vessel as drainage.
Use lava granules in grain sizes from 2 to 8 mm as an aggregate for the substrate of your balcony and indoor plants. As a rule of thumb for measuring the correct amount has proven itself: 4 parts potting soil, 1 part lava granulate. Before planting, cover the bottom of Flower box,(€ 35.85 at Amazon *) Pot and bucket with a two-finger thick layer of lava granulate. Ideally, cover the drainage with a water and air permeable fleece. This gardener's trick prevents substrate crumbs from settling between the lava grains and negating the drainage effect. Furthermore, the inorganic natural product remains clean so that you can use it again after repotting.
Tips
A good edging is a must if lava granules are used to secure the ground or cover beds and directly adjoin the lawn. If lava grit gets between the rotating cutter bars, the dilemma can cause serious damage to the lawn mower. A stable and sufficiently high construction, comparable to a Gravel bed border.
Beneficial for water worlds
Standing and bubbling water remains crystal clear with lava granules. As a filter medium in ponds and aquariums, lava grains piggyback on hard-working cleaning bacteria so that the water stays clear and clean. An indoor fountain splashes with immaculately clean water when a layer of lava at the bottom catches even the tiniest impurities. Aquarists on a tight budget use lava granules as an inexpensive substructure for the substrate. This trick reduces the need for expensive aquarium soil as the upper substrate layer to the last centimeters.
Slip-resistant on ice and snow - lava granules as grit
Lava granulate is also used as a litter
Slippery paths and mirror-smooth driveways are a thing of the past when there is a sack of lava granulate in storage in winter. As a grit, the natural product trumps with immediate slip resistance on ice and snow. Furthermore, lava chippings are frost-resistant. Therefore, the granules do not dissolve, as is common practice with road salt. Thanks to a porous structure, lava granulate absorbs meltwater, so that the dreaded freezing over moisture is significantly reduced.
As an alternative to road salt, lava granules are also a good choice because adjacent plants do not suffer from consequential damage. Leaked road salt leaves a picture of misery on hedges, trees and shrubs if it gets into the ground in large quantities and shakes the ecological balance. As a result, salt is strictly forbidden as a grit in many regions. Buy lava granules with a grain size of 2 to 4 millimeters if you want to use an all-round useful and environmentally friendly grit in the future.
frequently asked Questions
What is lava granulate?
Lava granulate is a purely natural product, created from solidified lava. Its outstanding properties include low weight, good water permeability and a high mineral content. Furthermore, lava is completely odorless and does not rot. These attributes make lava granules the ideal soil improver, aggregate for potting soil and grit in winter. The material is very popular as a filter medium for ponds and aquariums. Last but not least, colorful lava granules are useful in creative garden design for natural ground reinforcement.
How do I properly use lava granules for weed suppression?
The knowledgeable use of lava granules against weeds is based on a combination of correct grain size and appropriate layer height. A grain size of 8 to 16 mm has proven itself in the garden. Spread the mulch 6 to 8 cm high in the bed for effective weed suppression. Coarser grains and thinner layers leave dandelions, groundmen and cronies too much leeway for growth.
Why is lava granulate so well suited as a filter medium for ponds and aquariums?
The porous surface of lava granulate serves as a welcome settlement area for millions of hard-working cleansing bacteria. These bacteria make a valuable contribution to keeping the water in the pond or aquarium clear and healthy. For this purpose, the filter basket is filled with lava granulate. Grain sizes between 8 and 32 millimeters are suitable for use. If necessary, lava can be crushed with a hammer so that it fits into an aquarium filter.
Tips
Lava granules are well on their way to becoming classic Bark mulch to be displaced as natural ground reinforcement. The natural product does not rot, is odorless, hard-wearing and does not release any nutrients into the soil. A wide range of warm colors makes lava mulch the ideal design element if you have one Plan the front yard, create a prairie garden or cottage garden.