I assume the sharp sand is for drainage? How much do you usually use? I'm a builders daughter so to me it's the stuff I throw in the cement mixer and the half bag in my garage right now is there because I'm so sick of weeding the gaps in the steps that curve around the side of the two levels of my back garden I'm going to re-lay the bricks in the spring.
Yes, it's sharp sand. And how much really depends on how claggy your soil is in the first place. It certainly doesn't go as far as you think and I reckon I used a few bags across all 3 beds.
On the weeds, have you tried brushing a mixture of sharp sand and salt (road gritting stuff) into he gaps between the bricks? That can sometimes slow the weeds down. Good luck!
I have wet clay... as in, I can't stand on the lower level of lawn now (two tier garden!) until around March unless I'm lucky enough it freezes solid! I'd not thought of it in the raised beds though! And I'll try the salt trick - when paths etc. are getting weedy I usually go over them again with a mix of sharp sand and powdered cement watered in with the can sprinkler!
I'm sorry for your wet clay - it's sound pretty wet too! I think raised beds are the way forward - but given your builders genes it sounds like you'd get them up in a weekend. (Thanks for the cement tip too!)
Yup, I've already got two which my father and I put up in just an hour - lined with old roofing plastic to stop the weeds coming up from below! And honestly, I won't miss this garden when we eventually move - luckily though I won't be leaving any of my favourite plants behind because I was so worried they'd drown -- so much drowns, even the buddleia died! -- I put them all in pots!
Hi Kathy - FAB article and totally agree about the fundamental importance of achieving healthy, well balanced soil. . . . . and . . . . have a wonderful birthday and an amazing year ahead!
Love your writing style Kathy, funny and informative 😊
Thank you so much, Emma. That’s made my day x
I assume the sharp sand is for drainage? How much do you usually use? I'm a builders daughter so to me it's the stuff I throw in the cement mixer and the half bag in my garage right now is there because I'm so sick of weeding the gaps in the steps that curve around the side of the two levels of my back garden I'm going to re-lay the bricks in the spring.
Yes, it's sharp sand. And how much really depends on how claggy your soil is in the first place. It certainly doesn't go as far as you think and I reckon I used a few bags across all 3 beds.
On the weeds, have you tried brushing a mixture of sharp sand and salt (road gritting stuff) into he gaps between the bricks? That can sometimes slow the weeds down. Good luck!
I have wet clay... as in, I can't stand on the lower level of lawn now (two tier garden!) until around March unless I'm lucky enough it freezes solid! I'd not thought of it in the raised beds though! And I'll try the salt trick - when paths etc. are getting weedy I usually go over them again with a mix of sharp sand and powdered cement watered in with the can sprinkler!
I'm sorry for your wet clay - it's sound pretty wet too! I think raised beds are the way forward - but given your builders genes it sounds like you'd get them up in a weekend. (Thanks for the cement tip too!)
Yup, I've already got two which my father and I put up in just an hour - lined with old roofing plastic to stop the weeds coming up from below! And honestly, I won't miss this garden when we eventually move - luckily though I won't be leaving any of my favourite plants behind because I was so worried they'd drown -- so much drowns, even the buddleia died! -- I put them all in pots!
Hi Kathy - FAB article and totally agree about the fundamental importance of achieving healthy, well balanced soil. . . . . and . . . . have a wonderful birthday and an amazing year ahead!
Thanks so much, Barry. And yes, it was such a lesson for me when I realised how much the soil mattered.