Thread: sharp sand water retention
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Old 01-11-2007, 10:52 AM posted to uk.rec.gardening
David in Normandy[_3_] David in Normandy[_3_] is offline
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First recorded activity by GardenBanter: Sep 2007
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Default sharp sand water retention
In article .com,
says...
I wonder if anyone has an opinion about the water retention of sand
when mixed with the general purpose compost you buy in a garden
centre. My experience is that, added at 25%, the mix actually retains
more water than the compost alone. Maybe this is partly due to the
sand breaking down the compost into fine and evenly distributed
particles or something.
Any thoughts welcome


I almost always mix around 20% of sharp sand with multi-purpose compost,
the plants / cuttings / seeds / seedlings all seem to fare better than
with just plain compost. It doesn't tend to shrink so badly and like you
say it's water retention properties seem a bit more "balanced" allowing
excess to water to drain through but holding moisture for longer.

The most noticeable effect is with cuttings, they much prefer some sharp
sand mixed in.
--
David in Normandy
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