In article ,
Simon Avery wrote:

NM As Cormaic pointed out, builders' sand has not had salt in
NM it for many decades - at least not if bought from an even
NM half-respectable person.

They don't wash it at the quarry, and that's where I get mine from.
I'm a bit hazy about the geology side - I guess sand comes from both
sea and river sources, so if former it would surely have traces of
salt in it?

But I must admit, I've never licked it so can't say.

When laid down, sea sand would contain salt, but almost all sources
will have been washed clean. There is probably salty sand in the UK,
but it will not be sold unwashed by respectable builders' merchants,
as the salt interferes with cement and other uses and salty sand does
not meet the relevant standards.

Obvious, when using sand for seriously sensitive plants (e.g. orchids
or carnivorous ones), it should be well washed. Most plants don't
mind a trace, and quite a lot can handle actively salty soil if they
are soaked when they are watered.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.