please explain horticultural sand / grit

michelle M

I've been reading posts about adding sand or grit to the soil to improve drainage, Can someone please explain what exactly this is?
I've asked my hubbie about the sand, he said there is builders sand(course) and plastering sand(fine) & he dosen't know of any other.
My understanding of grit is a kind of gravel/small stones Embarassed

I want to prepare a border in clay soil, it has been drained, but I want to give the plants best chance possible

michael brenock · Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2009 1:45 pm Post subject:

The other sand is sea sand which was used over a century ago because of it's high lime(neutralising content or value) Builders sand has no neutralising value.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)

James Kilkelly, was GPI.

michelle M · Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 5:03 pm Post subject:

So the grit is more suited to my purpose? I want to do a mixed border along the inside of a boundery hedge - it's about 100 feet long. I haven't decided on the width of it yet. I'll probably have to do it in stages though. At the moment I'm trying to narrow down my list of plants for the back of the border. Easier said than done. Every time I narrow it down, I find more plants that I like.

Anyway back to my question, Is this grit expensive? How much of it do I use? As I said the ground has been drained. It is lawn at the moment. Its never waterlogged but is a bit squelchy to walk during the winter.