| Author |
builders sand instead of horticultural sand
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| jw 111 2005-06-16, 2:10 pm |
| Is there really any reason why builders sand should not be used rather than
the more expensive horticultural sand, in making up a soil mixture for pots?
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| In article <Zfw4e.5644$JO6.227@newsfe6-win.ntli.net>,
"jw 111" <blue.star77@REMOOVEvirgin.net> wrote:
quote:
> Is there really any reason why builders sand should not be used rather than
> the more expensive horticultural sand, in making up a soil mixture for pots?
>
>
>
>
Depends on the type of "builders sand". I bought builders sand/sandy
loam as a base for my storage sheds.
Packed down like concrete after awhile just like I needed it to. :-)
--
K.
Sprout the Mung Bean to reply...
There is no need to change the world. All we have to do is toilet train the world and we'll never have to change it again. -- Swami Beyondanada
quote:
>,,<Cat's Haven Hobby Farm>,,<Katraatcenturyteldotnet>,,<
http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.d...=0&userid=katra
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| You really cannot buy sand based on what it is called. I have to go look at
it and see it before I buy a few yards of it. The builders sand I bought
worked great in the garden, it was coarse. I have seen other "builder's
sand" that were nothing like it. It all depends on where it was aquired.
"jw 111" <blue.star77@REMOOVEvirgin.net> wrote in message
news:Zfw4e.5644$JO6.227@newsfe6-win.ntli.net...
quote:
> Is there really any reason why builders sand should not be used rather
> than
> the more expensive horticultural sand, in making up a soil mixture for
> pots?
>
>
>
>
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| "jw 111" <blue.star77@REMOOVEvirgin.net> wrote in message
news:Zfw4e.5644$JO6.227@newsfe6-win.ntli.net...
quote:
> Is there really any reason why builders sand should not be used rather
than
quote:
> the more expensive horticultural sand, in making up a soil mixture for
pots?
I wonder if builders' sand sometimes might contain lime in it? It need not
have a neutral pH but might be quite alkaline.
regards
Don
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| jw 111 2005-06-16, 2:10 pm |
|
"Don" <don@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:d2v6pc$f0u$1@newsg4.svr.pol.co.uk...
quote:
> "jw 111" <blue.star77@REMOOVEvirgin.net> wrote in message
> news:Zfw4e.5644$JO6.227@newsfe6-win.ntli.net...
> than
> pots?
>
> I wonder if builders' sand sometimes might contain lime in it? It need not
> have a neutral pH but might be quite alkaline.
>
> regards
> Don
Guess I could wash it in water small lots as needed for use, do you think?
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| In article <pNM4e.7604$p71.3513@newsfe3-gui.ntli.net>,
"jw 111" <blue.star77@REMOOVEvirgin.net> wrote:
quote:
> "Don" <don@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:d2v6pc$f0u$1@newsg4.svr.pol.co.uk...
>
>
> Guess I could wash it in water small lots as needed for use, do you think?
>
>
If it is limestone sand, I can't see that that would make much of a
difference? :-)
Have you asked the quarry what the source will be?
--
K.
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| Gary Brady 2005-06-16, 2:10 pm |
| jw 111 wrote:
quote:
> Is there really any reason why builders sand should not be used rather than
> the more expensive horticultural sand, in making up a soil mixture for pots?
If you buy masonry sand at a supplier like MPI ($10 for 1/4 CY)you'll
get washed, graded sand. Should have no impurities and no lime. Other
types of "sand" could be a number of different things, such as sandy
loam, which has a much smaller actual sand content. I would think that
"horticultural" sand has been bagged and is conveniently available where
other sands are sold in bulk.
--
Gary Brady
Austin, TX
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| There are two types of builders sand
soft for use in mortar no good for gardening the edges of the sand
particles are rounded off giving poor drainage.
Sharp sand for use in fine Concrete floor screeds etc.
This is ideal for potting composts and general gardening use it is
normally washed before delivery to removes salts etc. that could
comprimises its use in Concrete.
Sharp sand has sharp edges providing good drainage I have just dug five
tons into a bed I am preparing for some Lilies.
jw 111 wrote:
quote:
> Is there really any reason why builders sand should not be used rather than
> the more expensive horticultural sand, in making up a soil mixture for pots?
>
>
>
>
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quote:
> Sharp sand has sharp edges providing good drainage I have just dug five
> tons into a bed I am preparing for some Lilies.
FIVE TONS! Well if you didn't have a strong back before, it is now, huh?
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| Ah well it makes a change from typing all day, which is what my IT
management role has now become, email after email.........
Working from home has its benefits though as I can potter in the Garden
at lunch times.
5 tons is not that much and I do have a Camon C8 Rotavator to dig it in
with.
If only it would stop raining! long enough to allow the ground to dry
sufficiently to finish the job but then this would not be rural England
without a wee bit of rain
I bought 200 lilies in tens of named varieties from Tompson and Morgan
all are now potted and under glass for now but they will look good in
the long border that I am preparing or I will be a tad unhappy.
rgds
Keith
Cindy wrote:
quote:
>
>
> FIVE TONS! Well if you didn't have a strong back before, it is now, huh?
>
>
>
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"jw 111" <blue.star77@REMOOVEvirgin.net> wrote in message
news:Zfw4e.5644$JO6.227@newsfe6-win.ntli.net...
> Is there really any reason why builders sand should not be used rather
> than
> the more expensive horticultural sand, in making up a soil mixture for
> pots?
Go to B & Q and buy some of their sharp sand. Do not used anything except
sharp sand and it might be a good idea to wash it with plenty of water
before use. If you're an amateur laying bricks it's best not to use sharp
sand - I tried it, but only once! You could also add a little builders grit
(likewise washed of course) to your mixture if there's a lack of small
stones in the other constituents.
Geoff
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| jw 1111 2005-08-24, 11:21 am |
|
"Geoff" <gg.peaceyREMOVE@virgin.net> wrote in message
news:Z8XOe.1119$ER4.890@newsfe3-gui.ntli.net...
>
> "jw 111" <blue.star77@REMOOVEvirgin.net> wrote in message
> news:Zfw4e.5644$JO6.227@newsfe6-win.ntli.net...
>
> Go to B & Q and buy some of their sharp sand. Do not used anything except
> sharp sand and it might be a good idea to wash it with plenty of water
> before use. If you're an amateur laying bricks it's best not to use
> sharp sand - I tried it, but only once! You could also add a little
> builders grit (likewise washed of course) to your mixture if there's a
> lack of small stones in the other constituents.
>
> Geoff
many thanks to all . i notice that our local b&q sand says its already
washed. still wants more washing would you say? out of interest would you
explain to a novice why there should be small stones included?
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