Some use sandy soil to create concrete, while others use it for its aesthetic benefits. Yet, using it for gardening has been a challenge for many people.
The reason is that they have little to no idea about the different traits of sandy soil. Most of them also don’t know how to improve the soil and what they can plant in it. As a result, their garden plants don’t grow healthy, or worse they don’t germinate.
This post will tell you everything you need to know about gardening in sandy soil. So, without further ado, let’s get going!
What Is Sandy Soil?
Before heading to the garden, the first thing you should know about sandy soil is its attributes.
First, sandy soil has a rough texture. Unlike clay and loam, this soil is mostly made of small pieces of weathered rocks. Its particle size ranges from 0.05 to 2.0 millimeters in diameter. On top of that, when you touch this soil, you’d feel that it’s dry and warm.
Advantages of Sandy Soil
One of the things to admire about sandy soil is its fast-draining ability. There would be no water buildup in your backyard even after a heavy downpour.
As such, sandy soil helps you prevent overwatering the plant. Its ability to drain water swiftly protects roots from getting damaged. A floodless environment also keeps your family safe from waterborne diseases. It protects your property against possible damage too.
The other advantage of sandy soil is that it warms up fast. If you’re a hardcore plant enthusiast, this trait could benefit you. You don’t have to wait for so long after winter to tend your garden. Likewise, you don’t need much effort digging and tilling this soil.
Lastly, sandy soil allows plants to form their roots quickly. That’s thanks to the soil’s loose consistency.
Disadvantages of Sandy Soil
You learned earlier that sandy soil could drain water fast. That ability has a disadvantage.
First, you might need to water certain plants more often than usual. Otherwise, they’re in danger of dying.
On top of that, the soil’s weak water retention allows rain to flush out essential nutrients the plant needs. The soil’s large particles are to blame.
Another disadvantage of sandy soil is that it could be acidic at times. Some plants won’t thrive in acidic soil due to lack of phosphorus. This substance helps plants use the sun’s energy for their growth.
How to Amend Sandy Soil
Now that you’ve seen the many attributes of sandy soil, it’s time to learn how to amend it. Let’s first define what a soil amendment means.
A soil amendment is a material you mix with the soil to enhance its properties. It helps the soil improve its water retention ability. It also allows water and air to move efficiently through the soil. In the end, it increases the plant’s chances of survival.
So, make sure that you mix the amendment thoroughly into the soil. However, carelessly mixing the two could backfire. Meaning, the amendment could impede water and air movement instead of improving them.
You might want to use a garden cultivator to prevent that issue from happening. The device will help you in combining the sandy soil and amendment evenly.
Types of Amendments for Sandy Soil Improvement
There are two types of soil amendment you could use. The first one is organic, while the other one is inorganic.
Organic amendments include grass clippings, compost, wood chips, sphagnum peat, manure, and sawdust. On the other hand, inorganic amendments include perlite, vermiculite, and pea gravel.
What many like about organic amendments is the nourishment they provide. They could also fertilize your plant. That said, you can expect healthier garden soil with this amendment.
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What Grows in Sandy Soil?
If you’ve been looking for something to plant in your garden, look no further. We’ll check some veggies, herbs, trees, and flowers that could thrive in sandy soil. Let’s get to planting!
Veggies and Herbs
Lettuce is the first one on the list. This vegetable can endure the dry condition of sandy soil. However, just like other plants, lettuce still needs water. So you have to water it regularly.
Carrots could likewise thrive in sandy soil. The soil’s loose consistency allows carrot roots to effortlessly penetrate the ground. Deep roots make carrots grow fast and healthy.
If you love using different seasonings for cooking, then try planting some rosemaries. This herb could withstand the sandy soil’s acidity. You might also want to plant some oreganos and thymes. Likewise, they do well in sandy and even rocky soil.
Trees and Flowering Plants
You can grow trees in sandy soil because some of them are built to survive various soil types. For example, a Red Oak won’t mind if you plant it in sandy, loamy, or clay soil. Simply put, Red Oaks are tolerant trees.
Another tree to consider is the Yellow Birch. Yes, it grows slowly; yet, its ability to thrive in an acidic and sandy environment is simply astonishing. You can expect it to live for at least 150 years.
You could likewise decorate your garden with some lovely-smelling flowers like lavender. This plant doesn’t need plenty of nutrients to bloom either. Thus, you can plant it in well-drained sandy soil.
The same goes for other flowering plants, such as columbines and blazing stars.
FAQs
How to Turn Sandy Soil Into Garden Soil?
You can turn sandy soil into garden soil by adding some clay to it. This soft and earthy material helps sandy soil retain moisture. Furthermore, some clay also provide calcium. Calcium enhances soil fertility and aeration.
Where Is Sandy Soil Mostly Found?
You can find sandy soil in arid and humid places. Coastal areas and lowlands are a good place to start. The northern parts of Europe and the southern parts of South America have large areas of sandy soils.
Final Thoughts
So there it is—everything you need to know about gardening in sandy soil.
At first glance, it looks impossible for plants to thrive in an acidic and sandy environment. However, we saw that you can plant beautiful trees and flowers in a sandy garden. You just have to choose the right kind.
More than that, you’ve learned that amending the soil helps plants do well even more. Soil improvements will turn your garden into a place of elaborate beauty in no time.