Kitchen Garden Forum

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?

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.

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