sand

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Caretaker

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sand
« on: May 01, 2012, 10:23 »
I mix with my seed compost Agriculture sand at £4 a sack but Wickes sells builders sand for £2 a sack, can anyone tell me what the difference is.
Reg
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the Kergan

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Re: sand
« Reply #1 on: May 01, 2012, 10:26 »
I sell sand, I imagine what you have been using is what we call sharp sand and it would mix very well with the soil.Building sand would be very claggy (if there is such a word  :wacko:)
I think building sand would end up making a bit of a sticky mess and would form a crust on top of the pots
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mumofstig

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Re: sand
« Reply #2 on: May 01, 2012, 11:11 »
if it's for seed sowing I'd carry on with the horticultural sand as it's been well washed to remove impurities.

For general potting on  Wickes sharp sand would be ok.

As already said building sand doesn't help at all.

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JayG

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Re: sand
« Reply #3 on: May 01, 2012, 11:15 »
Mum beat me to it, so I'll just confirm that Wickes and B&Q both sell sharp sand (my local ones do anyway.)  :)
Sow your seeds, plant your plants. What's the difference? A couple of weeks or more when answering possible queries!

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Caretaker

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Re: sand
« Reply #4 on: May 01, 2012, 18:55 »
Sharp sand seems the way to go, it will be for potting on.
Thanks all for your advise.
Reg

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Trillium

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Re: sand
« Reply #5 on: May 01, 2012, 21:15 »
The reason builders sand goes claggy is because it's a finer sand to be blended with mortar or whatever a builder needs it for. Rather than opening/loosening the soil, it turns it to clods especially if there's clay soil about.

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the Kergan

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Re: sand
« Reply #6 on: May 01, 2012, 22:23 »
The reason builders sand goes claggy is because it's a finer sand to be blended with mortar or whatever a builder needs it for. Rather than opening/loosening the soil, it turns it to clods especially if there's clay soil about.

Far better explained than me calling it claggy  ::)

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fatcat1955

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Re: sand
« Reply #7 on: May 02, 2012, 08:04 »
Agricultural sand is probably river or washed sand whereas general builders sand either sharp or soft is sea sand and can contain salt. Not sure if this salt has a detrimental effect on plant's though.

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the Kergan

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Re: sand
« Reply #8 on: May 02, 2012, 22:29 »
Very rare that they are sea sands. Most is dug out of the ground from pits and quarries. You wouldn't really get what we call sharp sand from the sea.

Don't think salt would hurt anyway. After all a lot of people use seaweed on their gardens.

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Plot74

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Re: sand
« Reply #9 on: May 02, 2012, 23:18 »
You can use salt as a fertiliser  it used to be recommended for a cube of salt around your brassicas to help them through the winter.
John
John
A gardeners work is never done.



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