rootcrops

[gordonsveg]

 ???  Iwant to grow carrots, beetroot etc in containers again this year and realise a sandy soil might be better. Can i mix builders sharp sand in with the compost and in what proportions please? Thanks.

[gordonsveg]

[Melbourne12]

http://www.medwynsofanglesey.co.uk/

is an excellent source of advice on such things.  Medwyn Williams' articles tell you all you need to know about prize winning root veg!  You can grow in sand alone, but he also recommends equal parts of sand, peat (or similar compost), and topsoil.

[flowerlady]

Builders sand should be 'as dug' i.e. no lime or anything added ??  :-\

I have used builders sand before and managed to achieve quite a reasonable crop, but I suppose it depends on the proportion of sand to compost in order to get good results???  :-\

[davyw1]

I put this somewhere else but my partimers wont let me find it.
1 Bucket of Good multipurpose compost IE levingtons sieved. [Riddled]
1 Bucket of Moss Peat  sieved. [Riddled]
1/2 Bucket  of Sharp Sand sieved  [Riddled]
50 gms of Seagold
50 grms of Superphosphate of Lime.
100grms of lime.
If you want to make the mix go further add a bucket of riddled soil

Have fun.

[PurpleHeather]

Builders sand absorbs water and sharp sand does the opposite.

Sharp sand is used to improve drainage.

If you use half and half it would defeat the object.

You only need sharp sand if you have heavy soil but if you want to use it do so.

As it is sold for gardening the suggested proportions are usually on the bag. 

I often go to the posher more expensive garden centres to read instructions on the packages for things I have been able to purchase less expensively, or been given without instructions on.

you can always add builders sand to compost. If you want to get rid of some left over from a building job or the kids have messed up their sand pit.

Ants love dry sand for nesting so it is best not to leave it unused.