Sand for Plunge Bed

[Neil]

Just a quick question

What is the best sand for a plunge bed

1 .Washed Horticultural Sand no lime

Or
 
2. Washed Silver Sand?

Thanks

[Anthony Darby]

I just used sharp sand from B&Q, but a builder's yard would have it cheaper.

[Palustris]

I used sharp sand from Wickes, but I believe it is now not as sharp as it used to be.
All you need to be aware of is the sands source. Quarried sand is better than river and sea sand is a big no no. Any sign of shells in it and it is no use.

[Gerry Webster]

I used sharp sand from Wickes, but I believe it is now not as sharp as it used to be.
All you need to be aware of is the sands source. Quarried sand is better than river and sea sand is a big no no. Any sign of shells in it and it is no use.

I think the source of sharp sand depends on the part of the country in which you live.
I also used sharp sand from Wickes. It is full of broken shell & is fine with bulbs & many things self-seed in my plunges.  Furthermore, I believe that salty sand is unsuitable for building purposes so it is already washed; any remaining salt  washes out quite quickly (taste it!).

[Neil]

Gerry

I will pass on the taste test.  For builders yard round here I got Travis Perkins and their sand is very yellow and leaches the iron out of it,  I know we had the walls of the lean to made from it.  So it will probably be B and Q

[Peter Maguire]

Neil,
I've been using B&Q sand for sometime now - since the Wickes sand became poor (horticultural) quality and it seems fine for plunge bed use (and as the sharp sand component of any potting mixes).

[Lesley Cox]

Palustris, why not river sand please? Admittedly we are not supposed to take this without a recource consent, but the sand from my local rivers though qhite fine, is sharp and very silty, washed down from the mountains, so is very high in nutrition. It drains well and I've always found it excellent as a growing medium.