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
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. ;)
yes it is ideal to have good drainage..but unless you have really heavy clay you should be fine without added sand..
Cheers
Thanks Guys!!
Quote from: tonybloke on October 11, 2010, 20:21:12
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....
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.
I was going to empty the kids sand pit and replace it with fresh. Was looking to recycle the sand elsewhere.
Cheers
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, :)
Quote from: Mr Smith on October 19, 2010, 20:17:31
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.
Quote from: lincsyokel2 on October 19, 2010, 20:39:42
Quote from: Mr Smith on October 19, 2010, 20:17:31
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
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!