Builder's sand

[veggiechicken]

I have some bags of sand left over from the last bit of work here. Is it OK for growing carrots in - with some additional compost? If so, what proportions please?

[SarzWix]

When I've used compost and sand for carrots I've always tried to make it look a bit more like compost than sand, if that makes any sense? About two thirds of compost to a third of sand, makes a 'lighter' mix that the carrot root has no bother pushing through. However... Some growers will make a whole bed of sand and then just push a bar down into it to make a hole, fill the hole with compost and sow into that. So there's no hard and fast rules, just have a little experiment

[alex-adam]

When I've used compost and sand for carrots I've always tried to make it look a bit more like compost than sand, if that makes any sense? About two thirds of compost to a third of sand, makes a 'lighter' mix that the carrot root has no bother pushing through. However... Some growers will make a whole bed of sand and then just push a bar down into it to make a hole, fill the hole with compost and sow into that. So there's no hard and fast rules, just have a little experiment

Did you use builders sand or proper horticultural sand? - I ask as I too have a bit of B/sand left over and had the idea of using it for carrots, but I thought it might contain too much lime etc.,

a-a

[darcyvuqua]

I was talking to a guy up the plot last week about this as i was interested in what he was doing with the huge amount of sand he had he said he fills a barrell full of sand then uses a dibber to make the hole for growing he then fills said holes will seed compost and plants the seeds the compost allows the carrot to grow yet the sand tends to keep the carrots straight but allows the side roots to spread!

hope this makes sense these words are from an old boy so it must be right! lol

[Bigmallly]

Depending on how much sand you've got, fill some tubs with the sand, push a length of wastepipe into the sand & lift out which removes a plug of sand, fill said hole with compost as has already been suggested then enter them in your local competition..................I'll be rooting for you, get it? rooting?.......

[bearded bloke]

Have a read here >>>>> http://www.carrotmuseum.co.uk/growlong.html

[SarzWix]

I used sharp sand a-a, didn't bother checking the pH and they grew okay. Would have been my best ever carrots if root fly hasn't managed to get in..

[Aberdeenplotter]

VC, would you like my show carrot mix? You don't need to grow carrots to show using it but you will grow damned fine carrots if you do

[veggiechicken]

I would be honoured if you would share your mix with me Ap I am but a simple soul and my aim in life, according to my twitter page, is to grow the perfect carrot Perhaps, this year I may do that Thank you

[Aberdeenplotter]

It's on my old computer but I will post it on here especially for you. Don't let me forget

[veggiechicken]

You're a real gentleman Ap

[Aberdeenplotter]

well you have mentioned your aim in life. One of my aims is to encourage folks not just to grow vegetables but to grow the best vegetables they possibly can.

[veggiechicken]

I have other aims too............

[RedThorn]

As the bump on BM's head can attest to.....

[Aberdeenplotter]

so do I but perhaps not mentionable on a public forum