To all the new gardeners out there, do you know what’s potting when it comes to using sand in your garden? The bottom line is that while sand might not be the most exciting part of gardening, it is a fundamental part of the process, and not all sands are created equal. So, to see all your plants thrive, you’ve got to be using the right kind of sand!
Yes, there are different types of sand used for gardening, and today, we’re going to take a look at the specifics of the common types of sand you – including how to use them and what their benefits are.
Horticultural Sand
Horticultural sand, characterized by its larger particles and gritty texture, can be known by many different names due to the fact that it could be made with different types of crushed rock. It is generally comprised of crushed quartz, granite or sandstone and therefore could also be referred to as sharp sand (large, sharp, and gritty particles), coarse sand (similar to sharp sand but has bigger particles that prevent soil from compacting) or quartz sand (very gritty and is great for promoting soil drainage).
Builder’s Sand
Builder’s sand, or as some people call it, construction sand, is a great alternative to horticultural sand. However, it is a lot less uniform in terms of particle size.
How Can You Use Sand for Gardening?
Sand is such an unassuming and wonderful thing for gardens because it comes with a whole bunch of different benefits, but you’ve got to know how to use it! Here are a few different ways that you can get the most out of it:
Improve Your Soil Drainage
One of the ways to keep your plants healthy is to ensure that the soil has proper drainage. Without adequate drainage, plant roots can become waterlogged, leading to your plants suffocating due to lack of oxygen in the soil. The key is to use horticultural sand and combine it with your soil in a ratio of one part sand to two parts soil. Using this technique, you can prevent root rot and improve the oxygen flow to the roots.
Loosen up That Heavy Soil
Another benefit of using sand when gardening is that it can help to loosen up heavy soil. What happens is that some soil, especially with heavy clay soils, can be incredibly difficult to work and will not have sufficient drainage. By applying a generous layer of horticultural sand over soil and then digging the sand into the top of the soil (approximately 20 cm to 22cm) you can help improve the overall soil texture and in turn prevent waterlogging and improve root penetration.
Optimize the Health of Your Lawn
As with any plant, your lawn’s health can suffer immensely if your soil does not have proper drainage – especially for those who live in regions that experience a lot of rainfall. Using a lawn aerator you can form holes in your lawn, then pour a thin layer of horticultural sand over the lawn. Once this is done, gently rake over the sand so that it works into the aeration holes. By doing this it will help improve the grass root growth as well as optimise water absorption and even prevent lawn compaction.
For Raised Beds
Another great use of sand is creating raised beds. Using horticultural sand, thanks to its course and gritty texture, will create the optimum environment for healthy roots thanks to the good drainage it encourages. However, it’s important to avoid using beach sand for raised beds – this is because its smooth and tiny particles tend to compact easily and it often contains salt which in high concentrations can cause stunted growth and foliage to wilt.
For Raised Bedscreate a Good Potting Mix
One thing you want to avoid when growing plants in containers is compacted soil, which can happen really easily. This compacting will suffocate the roots and stunt plant growth. You can create a great potting mix that encourages plant growth by using horticultural sand and peat or compost. This potting soil mix is a good choice when growing herbs, vegetables, houseplants as well as cacti and succulent plants.
If you’re looking for a supplier of good-quality sand, check out Narellan Sand who has a range of different sands for almost anything you can think of for your garden.
Plant Wellness
Yes, there are many other factors that will determine how well your plants are going to grow in your garden, and sand is not the be-all and end-all, but using the right kind of sand adds a valuable component to your soil. So, if you didn’t know about the different types of sand and their benefits, now you do! So get out there and reap the rewards!
