I had top soil delivered for new beds created after a patio reconstruction. When starting to dig in organic matter and grit I discovered the bed was completely water logged . Will adding sharp sand help here? It is cheaper than grit.
You'd need to find out the reason for the water retention. Building work of any kind generally means the ground will have been compacted. Dig you loosen up the ground before adding the top soil? If not, that could be the reason, especially if you're on clay. There could be other reasons too.
It's better to add more organic matter rather than sand anyway, even if that's cheaper than grit. You'd need a large amount anyway, even if the bed's small, to make a difference. Rotted manure, hone produced compost, or old, used compost opens up the soil better and aids drainage.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I agree that organic matter is the best stuff to use. If clay is the problem, have a look at this article from the RHS https://www.rhs.org.uk/soil-composts-mulches/clay-soils especially the bit about adding grit/sand - which does not work
I had some very heavy clay in the front garden. I used composted bark fines which worked very well and didn't take long before the soil was good to plant.
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
FG is absolutely right, you need to make sure any compaction is broken up. Otherwise whatever you put on top will stay waterlogged when it rains, no matter how 'free draining' the material is.
"What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour".
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Building work of any kind generally means the ground will have been compacted. Dig you loosen up the ground before adding the top soil? If not, that could be the reason, especially if you're on clay.
There could be other reasons too.
It's better to add more organic matter rather than sand anyway, even if that's cheaper than grit. You'd need a large amount anyway, even if the bed's small, to make a difference. Rotted manure, hone produced compost, or old, used compost opens up the soil better and aids drainage.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
If clay is the problem, have a look at this article from the RHS
https://www.rhs.org.uk/soil-composts-mulches/clay-soils
especially the bit about adding grit/sand - which does not work
I had some very heavy clay in the front garden.
I used composted bark fines which worked very well and didn't take long before the soil was good to plant.
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
Fire said: Seaside sand often contains a large amount of broken shells (= lime). These will take ages to wash out.
Nice to read that members are increasing their knowledge by expermenting.
Are you aware of the concept of wetting? Over-dry sand takes a while to wet-out. Until it has achieved this it will not improve drainage.
"Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."