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,

Right.

What you don't want is PLAY sand in potting soil. That is river bottom sand
that has round edges. It doesn't have any points to it to create air pockets
in your pot.

Since you are near enough to the Gulf, make sure it doesn't smell salty.

I use builder's sand all the time. You just need to take an old window
screen and sift out the really fine particles so they don't clog up your air
pores.

John


"Gary Brady" wrote in message
nk.net...
jw 111 wrote:
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