Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

horticultural sand

Collapse

X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • horticultural sand

    hiya

    When you want to add sand mixed into some compost for drainge on a raised bed does it have to be horticultural sand or will B&Q sharp sand do?

    Thanks
    Last edited by Ruud; 24-01-2010, 12:01 PM.

  • #2
    Hiya,

    I used B&Q sharp sand from the builders yard for my lawn and raised beds. Haven't seen any ill effects yet.
    http://www.weeveggiepatch.blogspot.com

    Comment


    • #3
      Personally (and it is only what I do), I wouldn't add builders sand, I only add horticultural graded sand.
      aka
      Suzie

      Comment


      • #4
        Horticultural sand is usually lime free so can be used with ericacious plants but is relatively expensive and may not be that coarse.

        Grit sand or sharp sand from a builders merchant is much cheaper, will probably contain lime and is quite variable depending on source. Best to check a sample before buying - you want it fairly coarse

        having said that -not all that sure why you need extra drainage for a raised bed - being raised means it drains more. Is the soil clay? Is it based on concrete?

        Comment


        • #5
          I use builders sand on the garden and for making potting compost. I have a silty black soil and find it does some good, especially in the carrot patch!
          My Majesty made for him a garden anew in order
          to present to him vegetables and all beautiful flowers.- Offerings of Thutmose III to Amon-Ra (1500 BCE)

          Diversify & prosper


          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by Lovage View Post
            Horticultural sand is usually lime free so can be used with ericacious plants but is relatively expensive and may not be that coarse.

            Grit sand or sharp sand from a builders merchant is much cheaper, will probably contain lime and is quite variable depending on source. Best to check a sample before buying - you want it fairly coarse

            having said that -not all that sure why you need extra drainage for a raised bed - being raised means it drains more. Is the soil clay? Is it based on concrete?
            it has a wodden base , and the compost gets soaked when raining hard.
            and compost mixed with sand is good for carrots.

            but i dont know weather to get lime free sand or just sharp sand from B&Q
            Last edited by Ruud; 25-01-2010, 11:50 AM.

            Comment


            • #7
              If it has a wooden base, it doesn't matter how much sand you put in, it's going to get wet!

              Is it the same bed as the other thread?

              Comment


              • #8
                I've haven't had any problem using builders sand so far. Far cheaper that horticultural sand. I was worried at first about the salt content as builders sand is generally dredged from river channels, but I imagine the rain washes it out?

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by Ruud View Post
                  it has a wooden base
                  Would drilling some holes in the base help with drainage? as I would imagine it is going to rot anyway.
                  Last edited by Bigmallly; 25-01-2010, 01:51 PM.
                  sigpic“Gorillas are very intelligent, but they don't have to be as delicate as chimps -- they can just smash open the termite nest,”
                  --------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Official Member Of The Nutters Club - Rwanda Branch.
                  -------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Sent from my ZX Spectrum with no predictive text..........
                  -----------------------------------------------------------
                  KOYS - King Of Yellow Stickers..............

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by zazen999 View Post
                    If it has a wooden base, it doesn't matter how much sand you put in, it's going to get wet!

                    Is it the same bed as the other thread?
                    adding a layer of sand before compost is going to be of help obviously which is what i intend to do. I am not worried about it getting wet , its more off the fact i dont want the vegs "roots" to get waterlogged. So i intend to mix sand with compost.

                    And the reason for this thread is weather to use horticultural sand or will B&Q sharp sand

                    And yes is it the same bed but its empty atm

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by Ruud View Post
                      And the reason for this thread is weather to use horticultural sand or will B&Q sharp sand
                      John Harrison, in his book Vegetable Growing Month By Month says:

                      "Sharp sand is also known as concreting sand and can be obtained delivered in bulk from builders' merchants. Garden centres stock horticultural sands, which are much the same but more expensive"

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by Ruud View Post
                        adding a layer of sand before compost is going to be of help obviously which is what i intend to do. I am not worried about it getting wet , its more off the fact i dont want the vegs "roots" to get waterlogged. So i intend to mix sand with compost.

                        And the reason for this thread is weather to use horticultural sand or will B&Q sharp sand

                        And yes is it the same bed but its empty atm
                        Any sand will still get waterlogged if there isn't any drainage below; you are growing in a tray, not a bed...which has different rules and will collect all the water that the rain throws at it if it can't drain anywhere.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Originally posted by zazen999 View Post
                          Any sand will still get waterlogged if there isn't any drainage below; you are growing in a tray, not a bed...which has different rules and will collect all the water that the rain throws at it if it can't drain anywhere.
                          Hence drainage holes?
                          sigpic“Gorillas are very intelligent, but they don't have to be as delicate as chimps -- they can just smash open the termite nest,”
                          --------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Official Member Of The Nutters Club - Rwanda Branch.
                          -------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Sent from my ZX Spectrum with no predictive text..........
                          -----------------------------------------------------------
                          KOYS - King Of Yellow Stickers..............

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by Bigmallly View Post
                            Hence drainage holes?
                            Exactly.....

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              i used builders sand to help fill up potted plants, i tried it on tomoatoes and potatoes, they did not like it but fruit trees and herbs are not really boverd.
                              Dont judge a plant by it's pot.

                              Comment

                              Latest Topics

                              Collapse

                              Recent Blog Posts

                              Collapse
                              Working...
                              X