Builders sand in the garden

I have recently had a brick bbq built.
And now have about 1/3 of a ton bag of builders sand that I need to dispose of, as it wasn't all used.

Was thinking of putting some of it in my raised beds
Main concern is that the ph may be very alkaline.
Or it may cause drainage problems.
Or any other issues?

 

JWK,
Thanks.

My garden is full of precious plants - palms, tree ferns, ferns etc.

Am not prepared to take the risk
I will have to find another way of disposing of it

 

No, I would not use it in the garden
Only materials that improve the quality of my soil are added

 

Hi,

Have previously tested the PH of various sands with a proper PH meter and building sand is a real danger to the gardener as the ph content is very high.

Also the Sharp sands sold by many of the bigger names is now more like crushed concrete than what it used to be and equally has a very high ph.

Some smaller yards do sell 'grit' or 'sharp' or 'river' sand that is and looks like proper sand/grit from river beds etc and the ones I have locally were quiet neutral.

If using sand for potting mixes, lawns or special plants in the garden then suggest you buy the larger sacks of Horticultural sand from the garden centers.

 

If its soft sand, the type used for brick laying then I'd be inclined to get rid of it.

Never had a problem with sharp sand from builders, even builders have standards, and salt is not allowed as far as I know, and it only becomes alkaline when you add the cement

I've even used ballast for potting up agaves etc. with no problems.

Horticultural sand is pretty much a rip off as far as I'm concerned.

 

Hi,
I have been buying Wicks own brand sharp sand for about 3 years and mixing it with my compost and I am very pleased with it , I had a problem with vine weevil but since using the sharp sand no sightings of the little perishers at all . But Wicks have stopped selling there own brand and gone over to Tarmac and its useless for the garden . Has anybody any ideas of where to buy builders sharp sand thats good in the garden , I live in Carmarthenshire and cant buy horticultural sharp sand apart from tiny bags which cost a bomb from Wyvale .

 

Firstly Joan, my own experience too, viz., that mixing sand with mpc does indeed thwart vine weevils. I either use John innes or mix my own compost to great effect
I find locally (west Cornwall) Macsalvors supply sharp sand. B & Q perhaps? Builders Merchants? B & M?

 

Hi,

Don't mix up the two, its Builder Sand ( sometimes called Soft sand) or Sharp Sand as used in concrete.

What you really want is what our local builders merchants call River or Grit Sand, they are just that, whereas the Sharp sand some diy outlets sell can have a lot of ground up concrete dust which is very high ph.

Google for Builder Merchants in your area as they usually stock the typical small bags , not just the 1 ton ones; just pop in and have a look as see what theirs look like.

Travis Perkins own Wickes so theirs is probably the same.

 

I always buy sharp sand from builders merchants, never found a problem with ph.
25kg bags

 

+1

I can confirm that the Wickes own brand sharp sand as sold in the large jumbo bags is great for growing crops in.

Mixed with compost and/or vermiculite to improve moisture retention (about 15% in volume) and fertiliser for plant nutrients, I've demonstrated that you can indeed successfully grow radishes, spring onions, strawberries, potatoes, tomatoes, marigolds and petunias in it.

In fact, I last used it to grow pepmatoes (in the Tomato Grafting thread).