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Builders sand in soil

Hi there!

I've just recently lifted up some slabs to increase the size of my borders.

Unfortunately, the previous owner dumped a load of builders sand underneath them, including the plastic bags.

I've tried to remove as much of the sand as I can but the soil still seems quite sandy. I am a novice gardener and have no idea what I should do. Can I just add topsoil or compost to improve it or would it be best to get rid of the entire soil/sand mix?

Any advice would be much appreciated. 

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117

    Hi Serena - it depends how much there is and what type of sand. If it's the stuff used for making mortar, which I'm assuming it is, you'd be better removing it as best you can. It makes soil stick together, as opposed to the gritty stuff which helps open it up. 

    If there isn't too much, you can add organic matter - manure and compost - to help disperse it, but it would help if you could give us an idea of the volume you have image

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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