Using sharp sand

General tips / questions on seeding & planting

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Barry
KG Regular
Posts: 350
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2005 11:18 pm
Location: Central Kent

I have been using quite a lot of sharp sand bought from Wickes to break up my heavy clay soil.

However, it has been suggested I should be using horticultural sand, since sharp sand may contain salt.

I have never thought about that before. Anybody know?
PLUMPUDDING
KG Regular
Posts: 3269
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2008 10:14 pm
Location: Stocksbridge, S. Yorks

I've always used sharp sand and so did my father and have never noticed a problem with salt. If you keep it outside the rain will wash out any residual salt anyway.
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Pa Snip
KG Regular
Posts: 3091
Joined: Sat Dec 06, 2014 8:20 pm
Location: Near the big house on the hill Berkshire

Not only did I have a clay problem when I took over a plot, the topsoil had over the years gradually become a lower level than the concrete dividing path by about 3 > 4 inches over the entire plot

To build the level back up and break down clay three tonnes of sharp sand purchased from local builders merchant, plus the two lorry loads of composted manure from a specialist supplier, has gone on my plot in last 3 years.

Cant say the sharp sand has done any harm and salt content (if any) cant be that great since slugs still exist and I still use salt on my tomatoes on the plate. :)

My experiments into providing the market with ready salted tomatoes continue :lol:

The danger when people start to believe their own publicity is that they often fall off their own ego.

At least travelling under the guise of the Pa Snip Enterprise gives me an excuse for appearing to be on another planet
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