[Geordie]

I have just lifted some paving slabs and intend to use the ground for cultivating.

However, upon lifting there is quite a lot of building sand mixed into the soil and I was wondering if this would be ok to leave in?

The soil beneath is heavy clay and I was hoping that the sand would help break it up. I am also intending to dig some well rotted manure in there too.

Anyone know if this will be ok??

 

[Swing Swang]

Yes on all counts

[Trillium]

Yes. We always recommend sharp sand to thin out clay as play sand makes it glob together more.

[m1ckz]

i dont think builders sand is sharp sand,,its soft sand as used for mixing mortar,hence builders sand

[dugless]

I think you my find you have sharp sand there  :)as that is what anybody who knows how to lay slabs would use .
Unless it was done according to the Alan Titmarsh method IE five dabs of mixed morter in
which case they would be soild lumps

[mumofstig]

If it's the bright orange stuff - then it's builders sand which isn't any good

If it's more the colour of beach sand and feels a bit gritty then it's sharp sand and that's good stuff

( I realise that sand colours vary through the country, but that's how we tell'em apart here  )

[JayG]

The particles of grit in sharp sand make a mess of your finger-ends when using them as a more precise pointing tool - builders sand doesn't do that (guess who found out the hard way?!) 

[Geordie]

See photo below of what it looks like - the quality is not so good because of the upload file size limit. it may not be too grainy to tell but I'll be going down later and I'll see how fine it is.

 

[fatcat1955]

Look's like sharp sand to me. Either way sharp or soft it is better than nothing, dig it in.

[Goosegirl]

i dont think builders sand is sharp sand,,its soft sand as used for mixing mortar,hence builders sand

I agree with m1ckz about builders' sand. If you aren't sure, why not buy some grit and mix it in with it. Heavy clay will be instantly helped.