Utilizing sand in your garden, sounds prefer it could not probably do any good? Assume sand and also you assume dry desert, not lush inexperienced oasis. However it is time to open your thoughts to the likelihood that horticultural sand might be the reply to a vibrant trouble-free garden.
“Sanding your garden may also help to provide thicker, extra dense grass. You may see a distinction after making use of fertiliser to a sanded garden, because the garden will probably be higher at absorbing and retaining vitamins,” Craig Morley, a gardening knowledgeable from Price range Seeds.
As for which sand, the way you apply it and when, the specialists are readily available to clarify all that it’s worthwhile to know, in addition to to spotlight why it is best to think about this method on your backyard.
The advantages of utilizing sand on lawns
Not all forms of sand are appropriate for lawns(Picture credit score: beekeepx / Getty Pictures)
There are a number of advantages to utilizing sand in your garden. Fiona Jenkins, gardens knowledgeable at MyJobQuote.co.uk outlines the advantages of utilizing sand on lawns:
Improves drainage: sand helps to enhance the situation and drainage of your soil – particularly clay sorts – due to its unfastened and grainy consistency.
Prevents moss: As moss hates sandy soils, it additionally works as a management technique too to eliminate moss in lawns. Some garden sands have added nitrogen and iron to assist enhance grass progress and kill moss.
Helps progress: Sand can be good to make use of after overseeding because it helps the seeds to settle into the bottom and germinate.
Ranges the floor: Lastly, sanding your garden may also help to degree out the floor and bolster the safety of your grass over winter.
When to sand a garden
“If you happen to’re utilizing a chemical-free, washed sand, it may be used at any time of the 12 months however making use of it after aerating, scarifying and seeding is finest. That is usually finished between April and Could or August and September,” says Fiona Jenkins.
“Must you resolve to make use of garden sand with added nitrogen and iron, it’s worthwhile to scatter it when the grass is rising, so between spring and autumn. Making use of this sort of sand a few times a 12 months needs to be fantastic,” she says.
Craig provides that it is best to keep away from sanding when there’s a heatwave or very popular climate, because the sand can warmth up and scorch your garden. “You also needs to not apply sand to a garden if there’s heavy rain forecast, as this could wash the sand away,” says Craig.
Use a spreader for even layer of sand(Picture credit score: knowlesgallery / Getty Pictures)
Store horticultural sand
Suburban Stone Horticultural Sand
Solely £4.99 for a 20kg bag. It is washed and able to add to your high dressing.
Westland Garden Sand Plant feed 200m² 16kg
This sand has been enriched with fertiliser for a good greater enhance to your garden’s well being.
SupaGrow Turfing and Seeding Soil – 25L
An excellent possibility in the event you’re laying a brand new garden or turf.
sand a garden step-by-step
To arrange your garden for sanding, it’s finest to aerate and scarify first. “If you happen to’re planning to seed your garden, you also needs to do that earlier than making use of a chemical-free, top-dressing sand,” says Fiona.
“If you happen to’re utilizing sand with added moss killer, be sure to depart your grass to develop for not less than three days beforehand and select a dry day with no wind to make spreading simpler,” she explains.
Fiona outlines the strategy of utilizing sand on lawns under:
What you’ll need:
Step-by-step:
First, rake over your garden to take away undesirable thatch and moss.
Subsequent, aerate your garden utilizing a rolling or forked device.
If you happen to’re overseeding your garden, scatter your grass seed by hand or with a spreader.
Then, distribute your sand frivolously over the floor of your garden. A spreader will guarantee that is finished evenly.
Lastly, degree it out and sweep it into the grass utilizing a brush.
(Picture credit score: Henfaes / Getty Pictures)
Store garden aerators
Garden Aerator Footwear for Grass
Repair these onto your footwear with the adjustable straps and stroll over your garden.
A sturdy possibility for all it’s worthwhile to enhance the drainage and situation of your garden.
How a lot sand to make use of on lawns
Craig Morely explains that the quantity of sand that it is best to apply in your garden will rely upon the composition of the sand you’re utilizing.
“For sand that has a decrease proportion of iron, use round 125-150 grams per sq. metre. If the sand has a better iron content material (e.g. 4%), use a decrease quantity, corresponding to 60-75 grams per sq. metre.”
“When making use of the sand, it shouldn’t cowl the ideas of the grass. If you happen to can not see your grass after making use of sand, use a rake to take away a layer in order that the garden doesn’t suffocate,” says Craig.
Seek advice from the pack directions for the way a lot to make use of(Picture credit score: Peter Jordan_NE / Alamy Inventory Photograph)
What sort of sand to make use of on lawns
“You’ll be able to’t merely use any sand in your garden – you want a washed or clear sand that’s appropriate for high dressing, for overseeding a garden for instance. For general-purpose garden sanding – to enhance drainage and degree the bottom – use a chemical-free combine,” says Fiona Jenkins.
“That is additionally finest to make use of while you’re overseeding your garden and on lawns utilized by pets and youngsters. You should use a straight sand or a 70/30 sand and soil combine. Though this doesn’t embody a moss killer, it would nonetheless assist to manage moss progress,” says Fiona.
“Nevertheless, in case your garden wants extra assist, a top-dressing sand with added nitrogen and iron can be utilized as a substitute however do comply with the directions on the packet,” says Fiona.
“Keep away from utilizing seaside or constructing sand, because the chemical compounds or salt ranges inside these can kill the garden,” provides Craig.
FAQs
Does sand make your grass develop higher?
“Sanding your garden may also help to provide thicker, extra dense grass, because the roots could have additionally improved. You may see a distinction after making use of fertiliser to a sanded garden, because the garden will probably be higher at absorbing and retaining vitamins,” says Craig Morley, a gardening knowledgeable from Price range Seeds.
When shouldn’t you sand a garden?
“You need to solely sand your garden throughout the rising season. So, keep away from sanding over winter,” says Fiona Jenkins, gardens knowledgeable at MyJobQuote.co.uk.
Sizzling climate and warmth waves can imply that sand could scorch or kill your garden. “It’s also finest to keep away from sanding a garden if heavy rainfall is predicted, as this may wash all the sand away earlier than you may see outcomes,” says Craig Morley, a gardening knowledgeable from Price range Seeds.
How typically do you have to sand a garden?
“More often than not, sanding your garden annually is okay. Nevertheless, in case your soil is clay heavy or harassed, it is best to apply garden sand as soon as within the spring and once more within the autumn till your soil improves,” says Craig Morley, a gardening knowledgeable from Price range Seeds.
Fiona Jenkins, gardens knowledgeable at MyJobQuote.co.uk warns that finishing up sanding too typically could stop vitamins from moving into the soil, and will injury your grass.
“Sand with added nitrogen and iron ought to solely be utilized a few times a 12 months as an excessive amount of of this could result in shallow grass roots and poor soil,” says Fiona.
You probably have dense clay soil you may discover that your drainage could be improved with the usage of horticultural sand.
If you happen to discover swimming pools of water type in your garden after intervals of heavy rain then have a look at our information to waterlogged soil.
