Sandy soil and soil conditioner

[CrabbyApple]

I'm pretty soon going to be digging up my entire garden and would like any advice on improving the soil before preparing any beds and replanting the lawn.

The make up of our soil is mostly sand and silt. We have little to no clay at all which is great for drainage but our lawn and plants grow rather twiggy and limp. I'm thinking it's because of lack of nutrients in the soil, so any ideas on a good all round conditioner? I've got some home-made compost on the go but no where near enough for what would be needed, and it won't be ready until next year.

So far I've been throwing the grass clippings from mowing over the lawn to try and get some nitrogen in there, but since it's all going to be dug up anyway I'm happy to dig in whatever I need to.

[Kristen]

any ideas on a good all round conditioner?

Spent Mushroom compost?

[CrabbyApple]

Spent Mushroom compost?

Is it okay to use in large quantities? Since I'd need it for my entire garden I'm wondering if the amount of chalk that could be in it would cause a problem with the pH levels?

[Kristen]

I have used it on Alkaline soil a good 3" deep as a one-time treatment, put on as a mulch (and the incorporated over a couple of years).

I didn't repeat the treatment again because of concerns for pH, but thought it OK as a one-off. I didn't test the pH before/after though, so I don't know if my assumptions were borne out in fact, or not

[Fleurisa]

Well rotted cow manure? If its good for the allotment....