Sharp Sand - Sharp Price !

Just checking the price of sharp sand for mixing with compost etc for this season . B and Q are selling bags in the builders department at about £1.80 a bag , and in the gardening department Verve sharp sand at £5.50 a bag Am I missing something
I presume Verve is the new B n Q brand name for gardening materials.

 

Wicks, Travis Perkings, and Keyline, all belong the the same company now but different prices on most things, I think garden centres are very expensive anyway, and I dont know why that is, it could be possibly because its washed and sterile??

 

It's the same with some potting compost. B&Q JI #1 = £2.50/bag, same stuff in Verve bags = £3.98 (and even more in Homebase bags - £5.49). I've stocked up with 'B&Q'.

 

I find JI varies wildly, so when I find one thats a bit better than just a bag of mud I tend to buy a few.
As to sharp sand I always use the builders stuff from Wickes, never had any problems.

 

Hiya Pete.

Just wanted to know, do you use it straight out of the bag? Also, what are the benefits of it's use? I'm thinking that it would be useful if added to compost intended for containers to aid drainage (therefore making them easier to water), yes?

Cheers...Freddy.

 

Hey Freddie.

I add it to multipurpose, with some sand, sometimes.
I add lots of grit for cacti.

I just like some soil in potting compost, that is, for long term plants.

Dont think I've ever used JI straight from the bag, I find it too heavy and claggy.

 

Sorry Pete, I don't think I made myself clear. My question was aimed at the sharp sand, not the Ji

 

Oh sorry.
Yes, I add it to Multi purpose for drainage, and to JI for drainage.
I just mix it in, been know to use a cement mixer for mixing larger quantities at the beginning of the season.

I think it just helps to break up the compost and make it more root friendly.

You do need to remember though it weakens the feed by adding volume, so earlier feeding might be a good idea.

 

I would agree with Pete. My standard mix is 2/3 multipurpose compost and 1/3 sharp sand (or 1/3 Perlite - now that I have found someone who sells large bags).

I buy sharp sand it from any builders merchant. I don't think you have to wash it - its known as river sand. Not to be confused with sand from the sea shore - that would be salty, but it wouldn't be sharp as a result of the constant pounding of the sea.

 

So in summary the only differnce between the B n Q builders sharp sand and the gardening Verve sharp sand is nothing ! Except you pay an extra £3.70 for a prettier looking bag

 

Hi.

My guess fwiw is that the 'Verve' stuff HAS been washed, but in terms of use, this makes no difference.

 

Useful to know, since I just used a bag of the more expensive stuff on my lawns.

Will know for next time though

 

Be carefull some builders sand will have alot of salt if it's freshly dug up and not washed carefully

 

Salt
I thought we had determined that sharp sand is from old river beds

 

Sharp sand is unlikely to contain salt, especially for the building trade as it would disrupt cement by salt crystalisation.

If sand has been transported by water it will become rounded. Most of our sharp sands come from terminal morains, the debris deposited at the melting end of a glacier, the ice scours the rocks but once its in the ice it remains in suspension till it come out the other end, hence it remains angular to sub angular.