Play sand...ok for horticultural use?

[Hector]

Our kids are too ole for sand pit and I have a load of play sand...can I use this in my compost mixes?
Jackie

[Hector]

[tonybloke]

you could, but is the wrong type of sand!! It's a washed sand, and under a magnifying glass, 'play' sand is rounded particles. what you need for compost mixes are 'sharp' sand, angular particles.
( it's to do with hygroscopic water and air distribution in the potting mix.)
can you freecycle it to some other children?
rgds, Tony

[oliveoyl_25]

Might it be ok to use for storage of parsnips, carrots etc?

[Hector]

I gave the unopened sacks away on freecycle but I have the sand out the pit ...folk won't take it as it's damp/old (starts to get a greeney tinge.
Hmm...

[pippy]

I'm no expert, but I have used it added (about 10-20%) to soil/compost in raised beds to lighten the soil for doing carrots.  I don't think it's suitable for making potting composts but I'm not aware of any problems with conditioning your soil with it.

[Eristic]

There is no problem with using the play sand on the garden. It is river sand and as mentioned earlier, it has small round grains rather than large sharp grains. Not ideal but still usable. The sand not suited to garden use is the builders soft sand used for bricklaying. This has extremely small grains mixed with microscopic particles which when wetted will turn into a slurry.

[terrier]

Just to follow on Hector's question with another, is the fine sand used for infilling the cracks in block paving the same as play sand can it be used horticulturaly or is it something different again? Anyone know as I have several unused bags of it.

[Eristic]

I've used block paving sand in my compost mix after letting it get damp and no more use. I doubt that there is much difference but paving sand is guarenteed dust dry until left out in thunderstorms.

[Hector]

thanks all, I will use but not for seedings...found a small area of heavy soil, so will mix in there