On 05/02/19 10:49, Another John wrote:
A chap I do a bit of gardening for had a couple of his borders flooded
last year by a change in subterranean water flow. That has been fixed,
but the borders are still "sticky".

He wants to dig sand into the borders. Fine, but he has specified
"horticultural sand". I think it would save him money if I just used
ordinary sharp (concreting) sand from a builder's merchant. What does
the team think?

TIA

John

You have to be a little careful with sand from builder's merchants. The
fine deep-yellow sand may have been dredged from the sea, and so will be
more than a little salty. Also, if fine, it will probably add to the
stickiness problems.

True "sharp sand" will be a lot better physically as it will contain a
range of particle sizes. It might still have been dredged, though, so
might contain some salt.

FWIW, I use Wickes sharp sand for mixing composts as it's so cheap, and
have never seen a "salt" problem with it.

--

Jeff