Builders sand from builders yard-Best for cuttings?

[newstart]

I was advised by Michael to buy builders sand from builders yard for cuttings. I don't think they would sell me it in small quantities and was concerned the bagged stuff would be to thin when it needs to be coarse from what I have read for cuttings. To save me a wasted trip into town can loose builders sand be bought in any quantity. Apparently the reason builders buy it loose is because it graded for good quality coarseness for building this is also very good for cuttings. I read it from the old book L.D. Hills-times have changed since then quite possibly?

[mark smyth]

yes they sell it in bags

[Michael J Campbell]

You know the bags that they use to keep water out when flooding occurs, they sell those size bags for a couple of quid each at the builders yard.

[newstart]

That sounds like the stuff! More coarse and water retentive possibly . Thanks Michael.

[David Shaw]

Try asking for coarse, concreting sand. It comes in 25Kg bags.

[Gerry Webster]

Probably a good idea to wash coarse builders sand, it may contain salt - it certainly does here.

[Lesley Cox]

I have a nice arrangement with a local quarry. Mostly they sell their sand, gravel etc in huge truckloads. When I want some I take some bags or plastic bins in the back of my car and am told to "help yourself." No charge.

[iann]

Builders sand as sold in bags in the UK is a fine smooth sand used for jobs like making mortar.  I wouldn't have thought it was suitable for rooting cuttings?  Added to soil it tends to clog it rather than improve drainage.

The other common bagged sand for building is sharp sand, a coarser less smooth sand.  There are lots of different grades available if you go to a specialist.  At garden centres you may also find things like grit sand which can be very coarse indeed, you wouldn't want to be on a beach made of that stuff.

[art600]

I have a nice arrangement with a local quarry. Mostly they sell their sand, gravel etc in huge truckloads. When I want some I take some bags or plastic bins in the back of my car and am told to "help yourself." No charge.

Lucky you 

[Gerry Webster]

Builders sand as sold in bags in the UK is a fine smooth sand used for jobs like making mortar.  I wouldn't have thought it was suitable for rooting cuttings?  Added to soil it tends to clog it rather than improve drainage.

The other common bagged sand for building is sharp sand, a coarser less smooth sand.  There are lots of different grades available if you go to a specialist.  At garden centres you may also find things like grit sand which can be very coarse indeed, you wouldn't want to be on a beach made of that stuff.

Agreed, builders 'soft' sand for mortar is no good. The stuff I was referring to above  is coarse, sharp sand, sometimes called concreting sand. 

[Lesley Cox]

I think what you are referring to, the fine, smooth stuff, is known as fat sand here, and yes, used for making mortar and such. I believe it has various chemicals in it and I would never use it for cuttings. Coarse and sharp is best.