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Builders' sand for drainage?
Thanks Nick, I've forwarded this onto my dad!
There isn't that much of the sand, so I think it will probably have been washed through by now. There was all sorts of stuff growing in it anyway, like sphagnum moss, ferns and evening primrose, so I think it's OK. Happy New Year everyone! Andrew "Nick Maclaren" wrote in message ... In article , Andy Hunt wrote: I have some builders' sand hanging around in my yard, and I was going to use it for drainage in some new pots I've bought today. My dad however has advised me not to, he says that this sand contains lots of chemicals which won't do plants any good, because it is building sand. Pour him another tankard of beer and sit him in the corner with the other old fogies. He doesn't have a clue, I am afraid. Firstly, builders' sand DOESN'T have chemicals added (and has any salt washed out, to prevent trouble making mortar). Secondly, why on earth would builders add chemicals (which cost money) if they could avoid it? And, thirdly, they would have leached out. The sand has been outside in the rain for at least 3 years - does anyone know if my dad's correct about this, and if so, whether the rain would have washed the sand clean by now? What it will have done is to wash the 'softness' out of it, leaving it as unsuitable for mortar - I had a lot like that, and got caught. However, the converse is that it will be OK for using to increase drainage! It won't be as good as sharp sand, but will do. You can also dry it and sieve it (yes, using a kitchen sieve) to make fine sand suitable for filling in between paving blocks. Even if it is full of chemicals, if I just use it for an inch-thick layer of drainage material at the bottom of each pot, would it be OK? Yes. No problem. Just remember that it will be somewhat less free draining than sharp sand, and will clog quite a lot faster, but otherwise use it as sharp sand. Now, this does assume that it was in a relatively shallow layer. If it was in a high pile, then the softness probably WON'T have washed out enough, at least at the bottom. You can test by mixing it up with water in a bottle and seeing how fast it settles. If it all settles very fast, it is washed; if not, it isn't. Regards, Nick Maclaren. |
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