[Learnerlady]

Hi
sure I read in a fairly recent post ( which I cannot find!) someone mentioned using grit to improve drainage and gave a size upto 15mm which I thought was a bit big, was thinking more sharp sand and finer grit of about <5mm. For root veg the books always say remove stones so I've been using a 10mm sieve for raised containers but can I go larger?? Back and elbows  are beginning to complain but have had forked carrots and parsnips in other beds which is why I'm trying this ... no manure either.

[Nobbie]

When I’ve bought horticultural grit it has been upto about 5mm, nothing as big as 15mm which sounds more like gravel. Sharp sand has smaller grains than the grit, but none of the fine particles and clay found in building sand.

[Goosegirl]

Methinks it would depend on how bad your drainage is. If it is bad, then some larger stuff in the bottom would be ok but, if not as bad, then horticultural grit and sand should suffice. Don't use builder's sand as said above.

[Learnerlady]

Thanks both, think I'll carry-on sieving for the moment as I will be disappointed if I end up with mostly forked roots again