How to improve sandy soil

[SM MOWING]

Any help would be good....

Would mixing in say Jeffries organic compost be suitable...

Its to improve a soil before laying turf.

[irishjim]

Yeah compost or aged cow manure mixed in well should do the trick.water turf in well and add seasol to help roots grow.

[GardenGuy]

Getting some organic material into that sandy substrate would be a top start.

If you can use a cultivator to till some aged cow manure or some commercial bulk compost mix into the top four to six inches at least a few days, but preferably a couple of weeks before you lay 'turf underlay' (80/20 soil/sand mix) on top and then the turf, then you're on a winner. It's more work and more expense, but it's a more certain positive result.

Cheers - GardenGuy.

[ASTRO]

With sand based soils i apply wetting agents,ground rock dust which will add vital minor elements,humus and on very sandy soils hydrocell which is rotary hoed to improve water holding capacity.
A layer of 80/20 sandy loam is applied to the soil then apply a dressing of rapid raiser ready for laying turf.

[GardenGuy]

ASTRO's approach is pretty good too.

Book some follow-ups with Seasol, or preferably a specialist commercial material, every fortnight or so and your client will be in love with the turf work you have done for them.

Cheers - GardenGuy.

[DavidS]

As they have all said, incorporate lots of compost, humus into the soil and it will improve.

[Wyadra]

There's no point putting more sand into a sandy soil. I buy used to buy potting mix for $70m3 from ANL and rotary hoe it in along with a bag of dynamic lifter. Last job I did customer complained because the soil was full of seeds from various weeds, probably onion weed. In the future I would rotary hoe and leave it for a couple of weeks, watered, to let the seeds in the soil germinate and poison again, or explain what might happen to the customer...

[ASTRO]

There's no point putting more sand into a sandy soil. I buy used to buy potting mix for $70m3 from ANL and rotary hoe it in along with a bag of dynamic lifter. Last job I did customer complained because the soil was full of seeds from various weeds, probably onion weed. In the future I would rotary hoe and leave it for a couple of weeks, watered, to let the seeds in the soil germinate and poison again, or explain what might happen to the customer...

Potting mix media is a inert,in-organic,non-living entity.
Potting mix has a sand component.
Potting mix media is formulated for use in pot culture only.
By applying wetting agents to sand based soils will minimize its hydrotrophic properties.
Applying ground rock dust will provide vital nutrients for soil microbes to develop and create a living component in the soil profile.
Applying humus will proivde organic carbons,increase water holding capacity,food source and envoirment for beneficial soil microbal activity and improve soil texture/structure.
Creating the optimum results in sand based soils is a long term goal but is very rewarding when acheived.:)

[Wyadra]

Potting mix is in-organic. Ha ha! That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard posted on this site.

[happymowin]

Potting mix is in-organic. Ha ha! That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard posted on this site.

oh, come on, now youre just EXAGGERATING !!!

:laughing:

[ian]

Potting mix is in-organic. Ha ha! That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard posted on this site.

don't know about most ridiculous but it's certainly up there with most of ians :)

[ASTRO]

Potting mix is in-organic. Ha ha! That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard posted on this site.

Wyadra continue to use potting mix for sandy site soil-prep method if it works for you and your customer.
Cheers astro.

[great nature]

ive used cheap potting mix as an alternative to compost for improving planting holes and beds for budget concious clients. it has worked well to improve water penetration and storage of those sandy water-repellant soils. its simply raising the amount of organics in the soil. the plants are thriving compared to the ones without the added potting mix. you should give it a try astro.

[ian]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potting_soil

[Fred's mowing]

Sandy soil is great for laying turf on.
You can improve it by adding organic matter (humus).
The main benefit isnt from the nutient content, rather the added ability to retain the nutrient & moisture content being leeched from the soil too quickly.
Its easy enough to add nutrients (fertilizer) afterwards.
Light sandy/silty soils are far easier to level to a high standard.
Although clay soils are enriched with nutrient, give me sandy soils to work with any day!
Cheers Fred.

[ian]

Sandy soil is great for laying turf on.
You can improve it by adding organic matter (humus).
The main benefit isnt from the nutient content, rather the added ability to retain the nutrient & moisture content being leeched from the soil too quickly.
Its easy enough to add nutrients (fertilizer) afterwards.
Light sandy/silty soils are far easier to level to a high standard.
Although clay soils are enriched with nutrient, give me sandy soils to work with any day!
Cheers Fred.

lucky you work in the sand belt :)