Childrens Play Sand Used As Drainage

[smudger28]

Hi Guys

Has anyone used children's play sand to assist with drainage?

Do I need to be buying some sand from a garden centre?

I'm planting garlic and it calls for sand.

Thanks

Paul

[smudger28]

[tonybloke]

play sand, and builders sand, is rounded in particle shape, and can cause bad drainage when the fine particles of compost/peat/soil get mixed in. what you need is 'sharp sand' from builders merchant (wash through before use,) or the more expensive 'horticultural sand' (washed sharp sand) from the garden centre.  ;)

[goodlife]

yes it is ideal to have good drainage..but unless you have really heavy clay you should be fine without added sand..

[smudger28]

Cheers

Thanks Guys!!

[chriscross1966]

play sand, and builders sand, is rounded in particle shape, and can cause bad drainage when the fine particles of compost/peat/soil get mixed in. what you need is 'sharp sand' from builders merchant (wash through before use,) or the more expensive 'horticultural sand' (washed sharp sand) from the garden centre.  ;)

Taste the sand before use, you only need to wash it if it is salty.... I've bought a fair amount over the alst couple of years and only found a salty batch once....

[lincsyokel2]

Play sand works out at £200 a tonne. I can drive my trailer to the nearest Gravel Pitsand buy a tonne of sharp sand for £40.

As usual, buying in bulk from the source is cheaper than buying through a chain of third parties.

[smudger28]

I was going to empty the kids sand pit and replace it with fresh.  Was looking to recycle the sand elsewhere.

Cheers

[Mr Smith]

I have used Sharp sand on the lotty in the area that I grow my carrots and it really does help with the drainage and also if worked well in helps in producing nice straight carrots, :)

[lincsyokel2]

I have used Sharp sand on the lotty in the area that I grow my carrots and it really does help with the drainage and also if worked well in helps in producing nice straight carrots, :)

The secret of growing long straight carrots is to grow them in a bath full of compost. Or even better grow one carrot in a two foot length of 4 inch pipe filled with compost.

[Mr Smith]

I have used Sharp sand on the lotty in the area that I grow my carrots and it really does help with the drainage and also if worked well in helps in producing nice straight carrots, :)

The secret of growing long straight carrots is to grow them in a bath full of compost. Or even better grow one carrot in a two foot length of 4 inch pipe filled with compost.

I would find it too much trouble to take the compost out  every month when I wanted a bath, ;D 

[Robert_Brenchley]

You mean you have a bath once a month? I don't know what the world's coming to; once a year is more than enough!