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Gardening

Sand?

(15 Posts)
AlieOxon Sun 10-Apr-16 12:37:41

I need some sand to make compost more freely draining.
Where could I get a SMALL bag of suitable sand?

Lots available in 25kg lots - but I can't lift this!
2 or 3 Kg would be fine......

Auntieflo Sun 10-Apr-16 12:50:26

Would a small bag of sand pit sand do? I'm sure you used to be able to buy this from Mothercare.

whitewave Sun 10-Apr-16 12:51:02

Grit would be better

AlieOxon Sun 10-Apr-16 13:31:50

...No Mothercare here....

Can you get grit in small bags???

whitewave Sun 10-Apr-16 13:34:54

Definitely go to a garden centre/shop or hardware store bound to get it there, not sure how much though. Why do you want to put grit in the compass bin anyway, I don't put any in mine and I have just empties it out and it is fine.

AlieOxon Sun 10-Apr-16 13:40:46

B&Q have Horticultural Grit in 1 litre bags, 1.6kg but it's £6.95....too much.

Not compost bin but compost for seedlings!

pompa Sun 10-Apr-16 14:10:13

Use pearlite instead of grit much lighter and improves drainage like grit. Obtainable from garden centres.

grannylyn65 Sun 10-Apr-16 14:12:13

Yes agree Pompa

AlieOxon Sun 10-Apr-16 14:22:21

I have pearlite and don't like it! It floats on watering and goes brown on the surface of pots - messy and not very controllable....

i can not remember where I last got sand.

phoenix Sun 10-Apr-16 15:25:48

Perhaps try a pet shop that sells stuff for fish tanks, they may sell smaller quantities.

Alima Sun 10-Apr-16 15:44:13

I got very small bags of sand and of grit last year from the garden centre. Perfect for bringing on the begonias.

AlieOxon Sun 10-Apr-16 18:21:01

Will try both - thanks.

whitewave Sun 10-Apr-16 18:27:03

Oh I totally misunderstood so as you were!

Sand is OK as is perlite or vermiculite

whitewave Sun 10-Apr-16 18:28:20

Ps you need horticultural sand or sharp sand not builders or play sand

AlieOxon Sun 10-Apr-16 19:06:52

Actually I have used up play sand and it was ok....not limey. And builders sand left outside in the rain (with a hole a the bottom of the bag) to wash was also usable!
Have finished both now.
But now, I can't carry any big bag, so that's the problem.