Will kiln dried sand (from newly relaid block paving/patio) spoil soil?

Discussion in 'Compost, Fertilisers & Recycling' started by larkstar, Oct 10, 2017.

  1. larkstar

    larkstar Apprentice Gardener

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    There's a noticeable dusting of all of my topsoil from all the sand the builders whacker-plated into the gaps between the block paving - they seem to have used more sand than necessary IMHO so it's all over the place - I'm having to scrape it out from around drains etc but wondered if I need to go to the trouble of trying to scrape it off the soil? Is it really going to do the soil any harm - we have sandy slightly acid soil FWIW. What do you reckon? Leave it, dig it in it or scrape it off?
     
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    • JWK

      JWK Gardener Staff Member

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      I'd scrape it off, the sand will be laden with salts which will damage any plants. Of course it depends what plants you have, some are tougher.
       
    • larkstar

      larkstar Apprentice Gardener

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      Thanks John for the prompt reply - it's not what I wanted to hear TBH. The newly created borders where turf has been removed currently have no plants in them. I need a ton of topsoil to fill two newly created raised beds so I know I'll have a bit left over - hopefully I can find a recommendation for a supplier somewhere on here - it's a job getting anyone to answer the phone or reply to a contact form these days.
       
    • JWK

      JWK Gardener Staff Member

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      If you haven't planted anything yet then there is no hurry. Sand in itself won't do any harm. In fact you can buy horticultural sand which is simply a washed gritty samd which is good for soil improvement. If all you have is less than an inch then it probably won't harm, can you easily scrape it off?

      Welcome to the forum by the way.
       
    • pete

      pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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      Personally I wouldn't worry, it will wash through once the winter rains begin.
      I use builders sharp sand all the time in potting compost and never had a problem, I know the kiln dried stuff is finer and slightly different, more like silver sand.
       
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      • larkstar

        larkstar Apprentice Gardener

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        As I had 2 tons of topsoil delivered - 1 from Rolawn (beds and borders) and 1 from "fieldcompost" I had enough left over from filling 2 raised beds to allow me to scrape off some of the topsoil that had a more than a dusting of sand on it - to make it easier I just flattened the surface first by putting a sheet of plywood down and standing on it - then I just sliced off a thin layer with the spade.
         
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