horticultural sand

[Ruud]

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

[WeeGarden]

Hiya,

I used B&Q sharp sand from the builders yard for my lawn and raised beds. Haven't seen any ill effects yet.

[piskieinboots]

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

[Lovage]

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?

[Snadger]

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!

[Ruud]

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

[zazen999]

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?

[stupot]

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?

[Bigmallly]

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.

[Ruud]

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

[maypril]

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"

[zazen999]

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.

[Bigmallly]

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?

[zazen999]

Hence drainage holes?

Exactly.....

[greasyfire]

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.