growing grass

Hello is it possible to grow grass seed on sand? I can't afford top soil at the moment but I have a good supply of free sand.

Keith

 

do you mean just sand, or sand on top of the existing soil?

 

Stuff can grow in sand. Here's some proof.

http://gardenerscorner.co.uk/forum/threads/wildlife-and-flowers-in-the-dunes.53107/

However, you'll notice that in the pics in that thread, there is no sign of the type of grass you'd want in your lawn. There's good reason for that. Its taken many years for the flora to colonise the dunes. Pioneer plants move into the harsh conditions first, and then live their life and die and start adding organic matter so that gradually, over many decades it becomes more hospitable to a wider range of plants. I would guess that attempting to grow grass in sand alone would be similar to rolling back the clock on the dunes by 30+ years and seeing largely just sand again.

That said, I routinely top dress my lawn with sand. I find it is excellent for moss control, and provides a nice loose well aerated environment for grass roots to live in. Its also an easy way to iron out lumps and bumps because existing grass can grow through it (as long as you don't pile it on too thick).

So, sand as a supplement to existing soil, I say is good. Sand alone, I think its a none starter to be honest unless you want the really coarse dune grass for a lawn.

 

The dune grass is probably salt resistant which is why it's coarse and tough. I'm guessing Keith's sand supply is salt-free?

I agree with Clueless, if you are thinking of spreading a layer of sand over a base of rubbish soil you would probably get grass established on that.

However, if you spread a load of sand onto a base of, say, concrete, you would probably get germination but it would be hard to keep the grass adequately fed and watered long term without adding some sort of enrichment.

Generally, seeds and cuttings like putting their roots into sand, but it doesn't contain anything in the way of nutrients so you have to have a follow-on plan for them.

 

linx golf courses are grown on sandy soil but not pure sand.
Youd need about 3 inches of sandy topsoil to grow a good lawn.
Sand = drainage
Soil = moisture & nutrients.

If your soil is poor then topdress with 2 inch of grit sand

 

Thanks I was meaning ordinary sand from a quarry. I need to build up an area of around 2 x 3 metres by around 5 inches to get it flat and to a level flat surface. Could I mix it with say compost 50/50?

Keith