Table of contents
- Characteristics
- The test
- improve soil
- More options
- Mulch, green manure and bentonite
- green manure
- Suitable plants
- Frequently Asked Questions
Whether sandy soil or clay soil - in the garden there is only rarely the ideal soil for all those plants that you would like to grow. And so every gardener is encouraged to improve the soil in such a way that the desired cultivation can take place without any problems. Very sandy soil in particular can present the gardener with a difficult task. Because it hardly stores any water, which can become a major problem, especially in the summer months.
Characteristics
Sandy soil is very light and fine and therefore has the major disadvantage that it cannot store water or important nutrients for long. The same applies to fertilizers. It doesn't matter whether they come from natural or artificial production: A sandy soil can only bind them for a short time, as they quickly grow out again.
Due to the light soil, it also has to be watered a lot in summer. The wind and the high temperatures make sure of that. If the plants are not watered regularly, it is hardly possible to grow plants until they are harvested or flowering, as they would dry out beforehand.
An advantage of a light soil can be seen that it can also be easily worked. In this way, sandy soil can be dug up quickly without much physical effort. In addition, a rake is enough to loosen the surface of the soil, so heavy equipment is not required.
Tip:
You can recognize a sandy soil very well by the fact that it still trickles through your fingers even when it is wet and does not form lumps.
The test
If it is not immediately apparent whether the soil is sandy or not, a test is always recommended. This can be carried out in an independent laboratory or at the Parks Department. However, since such a test costs money, you can ask around in the gardening department what experiences the other gardeners have had with the soil in question. As a rule, gardeners are happy to help each other and pass on tips and tricks without further ado. This not only lays the foundation for a good neighborly relationship, but also saves a lot of money.
improve soil
In order for a sandy soil to have a firmer structure, it is important that sufficient humus is added. In the best case, this is done with the help of compost or stable manure. Horse manure is recommended here in the first place. The compost can be made in your own garden. If large quantities are required, additional purchases must be made. The cities and municipalities often offer compost at very reasonable prices.
Digging in compost or manure should be done once a year. In the best case, in the spring, so that the soil can rest before digging in the winter and is not further loosened by the frost. Gradually, the soil becomes firmer through the addition of manure or compost and can then hold water and nutrients better.
Tip:
If there is little time and the floor cannot gradually become firmer, then a floor replacement must take place. For this, topsoil should be bought and exchanged for the sandy soil. As a rule, it is recommended to remove at least 20 cm from the old floor and replace it with new floor.
More options
To protect the plants from drying out, some mulch could be sprinkled around them. The mulch not only improves the soil structure, but also ensures that the sun and wind cannot pull the water out of the soil too quickly. In addition, the use of mulch prevents heavy weed growth. A particularly large number of nutrients can be added to the soil in the summer months if nettle liquid manure is used for watering. Although this smells very unpleasant, it helps the plants to absorb many nutrients and use them for growth.
Tip:
Other plant manures are also suitable. If you make these yourself, we recommend a well-closing plastic barrel in which the liquid manure can be prepared.
Mulch, green manure and bentonite
Mulch, covering the soil around the plants, also improves soil structure while helping to suppress weeds. Mulch also attracts earthworms, which naturally keep the soil healthy and loose. In the summer months, fertilizing with nettle manure or other plant manure that supplies vegetables and ornamental plants with the necessary nutrients is recommended.
In the case of green manure, the yellow lupins, which thrive well there, are particularly suitable for sandy soil. They shade the surface so that moisture is retained better. In addition, after being dug under, they release many nutrients into the soil and support the formation of a humus layer. This form of fertilization is suitable for starting a new garden, but can also be used as an intercrop or after the vegetables have been harvested.
Bentonite is a clay mineral powder that is worked into a sandy soil. It stores water and nutrients that the sand itself cannot hold and can be applied all year round. If the soil is only slightly sandy, 100 grams per square meter is sufficient, while pure sandy soils require up to 500 grams.
green manure
So-called green manure can also be recommended. In addition to the compost, plants are also used in a targeted manner to improve the soil in the long term. Deep-rooted plants such as sunflowers or lupins are best suited. These not only look beautiful when they bloom. When their time is up, the plants can simply be left on the ground. When it's time to dig up, the plant remains are dug up and ensure that the soil gets a better structure.
Suitable plants
There are plants that are particularly suitable for every type of soil. It doesn't matter whether the soil is very heavy or - like sandy soil - very light. Asparagus and carrots, among other things, grow very well on sandy soil. Both types of plants have deep roots that do not rely on the surface moisture of the soil.
Blueberries and sea buckthorn also love sandy soil. And if you like it a little more Mediterranean, you will definitely enjoy oregano or thyme. Chives can also grow well in sandy soil. The cultivation of parsley, on the other hand, is somewhat more difficult. Color, on the other hand, can be added to the garden with lavender, which is also very undemanding and also thrives in sandy soil. And with good watering, roses and many types of shrubs also grow, bathing the garden in great colors.
A sandy soil not only has disadvantages, because some plants grow very well on such a soil. This includes
- Asparagus, carrots and blueberries
- Sea buckthorn, gorse, pear and butterfly bush
- Mullein, Catnip, Stonecrop and Pillow Aster
- Lavender and Mediterranean herbs such as oregano or thyme
The general rule:
The longer the roots of the plants, the better suited they are to sandy soil.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sandy soil is particularly light and runs through your fingers even when it's wet. In addition, it dries out very quickly and can hardly bind any nutrients.
In the best case with compost or manure that has to be dug under. Mulch can also be used on the surface. The material ensures that the sun and wind cannot dry out the soil too much.
In general, it can be said that deep-rooted plants do well in sandy soil. These include blueberries, lavender, thyme, carrots and asparagus.
garden editorial I write about everything that interests me in my garden.
Learn more about floor care
Digging up the garden: 13 tips for lawns and beds
Whether it makes sense to dig up beds or lawns is discussed in different ways. Once you have decided on this measure, our tips will help you to organize work in the garden effectively.
Pine bark: suitable for which plants?
Pine bark is a type of mulch that is gaining popularity among many garden owners due to its color and properties. Before purchasing, the question often arises as to which plants the bark mulch is suitable for. This question is justified because of the origin of the pine.
Which soil to choose for elephant foot?
The right substrate is crucial for the elephant's foot and should therefore be chosen well. Read here which soil is best suited for the Beaucarnea recurvata!
Expanded clay as a water reservoir: The alternative to earth?
Expanded clay is known to many as a substrate for hydroponics or as drainage in pots. Due to its properties, the clay granulate is suitable as a substrate in many different areas and can replace soil. The granules have long been an indispensable basis for green roofs.
Potting soil: Mix the potting soil yourself
Potting soil has to meet special requirements. It can therefore often make sense to mix potting soil yourself. This comes with several advantages. But what do you have to pay attention to? The guide below shows how to do it.
pH value in the soil: 15 tips for measuring & regulating
If the pH of the garden/plant soil is suboptimal, this can lead to serious plant damage. We show what options there are for measuring and regulating.