From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Anyone ever add sand the the patch to improve drainage? How can I tell the current amount of sand in my soil...and how much should I have?

10/8/2007 10:49:37 AM

Eastern Pennsylvania

John Vincent told me once that you could turn your patch into quick mix concrete real quick by adding sand so be careful...

10/8/2007 1:32:48 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Jordan, there is a quick jar test you can do. Have a look at the posting at;

http://www.k12.hi.us/~kapunaha/student_projects/volc_blowout/cinder_cone_volcano.htm

And then details are at;

http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/pages/g00164.asp

You'll know exactly what kind of soil you have once you've done this test a few times....have fun!!

Glenn

10/8/2007 1:57:21 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Sorry, volcano posting was a mistake...daugthers homework I guess.

The posting is at;

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/MsgBoard/ViewThread.asp?b=3&p=198960

10/8/2007 1:58:34 PM

Windsor, Ontario, Canada

I have my soil drying as I type. Will post results.

Thanks

10/8/2007 2:53:30 PM

Picton,ON ([email protected])

I'm sorry Orangeneck but I don't remember saying that "you could turn your patch into quick mix concrete real quick", although I have a terrible memory....or so I'm told...lol

I am planning to add sand the my patch this fall. I will add about 24 tons of sand to my patch of 65 x 65. I am working with the soil specialist at the University of Guelph, Keith Reid to try to "fix" my soil texture. He figues this may do the trick. We are adding coarse concrete sand and will end up with about 20% sand content if blended in the top 6". We will likely work it in deeper than that though.

Hopefully this will improve things for us.

John

10/8/2007 10:21:22 PM

Anamosa, IA [email protected]

If your soil is clay, you can make bricks by adding sand. Organic matter is good for clay. If it is silty like mine, sand may help. If you get your soil too sandy, it can result in a lot of air in the soil, which will speed up the breakdown of organic matter. That is why people with sandy soil can never seem to get their orgainc matter content to increase very much.

10/9/2007 10:37:42 PM