[len]

Good morning everyone!

Has anyone heard of using Builders Sharp Sand as a Soil Improver?

I was a bit concered that Builders Sharp Sand may have some iffy chemicals in it or that it may effect the pH levels of the soil.

My soil is fairly Silty & Stoney being on a Flood Plain and it's pH is 7.5.

I've asked this question about Sharp Sand because I've made a deep bed for Carrots and Parsnips.
I have Sieved the soil to get rid of the larger stones and this has left the soil feeling much better,  but I was concered that when it settles it may become very dense and not so well airated.

All advice gratefully received.
Len.





Title changed to lower case for ease of reading

[BabbyAnn]

I've been adding builders sharp sand to the heavy clay soil on my plot and dug it in.  Before the sand, the soil was very heavy in wet conditions and turned to concrete during the dry summer making it unworkable.  Mixing the sand with the clay soil has definitely improved its digging qualities.  Just remember it has no nutrients so has a "diluting" effect, so adding compost and manure at the same time helps to fortify the soil into a lovely mix. 

[Ice]

I echo what BabbyAnn said.  I have soil so full of clay I'm thinking of investing in a potters wheel.   Sharp sand is the thing to use, no other will do.

[savbo]

Builders sharp sand may have more salt than Horti sharp sand, though it shouldn't as I think that interferes with cement properties. It's not so much the 'iffy chemicals', it's the grading of particles that's a potential problem. Builders sharp sand usually contains a higher proportion of fine/silty particles, and of small stones - which could be a problem for carrot beds.

It's still better than nothing for breaking up clay soil, but it's bobbins for filling holes in spiked lawns!

[len]

Thank you all for the advice, it's been really helpful.
Len...

[Goosegirl]

I have used builder's sharp sand and also got gritty top soil to dig into my silty soil. You can also use horticultural lime which flocculates or binds the small particles of clay to help drainage. There are some commercial products you can use - see D T Brown's catalogue - though I haven't tried any as yet. Mushroom compost usually contains a certain amount of lime, so that will help condition the soil at the same time. If liming, don't do it at the same time as manuring.