Should I replace all sandy soil with triple mix?

10 years ago

I'm in Zone 6b (US Zone 5) with sandy soil (I live near Lake Ontario and literally there is pure sand below the few inches of poor top soil.)

To plant perennials, should I replace all of this soil with triple mix? Or is it okay to mix triple mix in with the soil/sand that is present? How much triple mix should I be using?

Thank you in advance,

Featured Answer

morz8 - Washington Coast

10 years ago

I do the same as NHBabs - lots of compost when planning a bed, more any time I'm planting, top dressing with more yet every year. I can't make as much as I need. We have a place near here who sells beautiful hot composted stuff for just $20 a load - picked up not delivered at that price but we have access to a trailer. No debris, no rocks, and no live seeds at all - none.

I don't have sand, I have clay, but the answer is the same - it will improve the texture of sand just as it improves the texture of clay. The more organic matter you can get into the soil, the happier the plants.

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Comments (8)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
10 years ago
sand is a great media .. if you learn how to water it properly ...

drip irrigation might end up much cheaper than adding 2 feet of media to your yard ...

ken
NHBabs z4b-5a NH
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
I don't know what triple mix is, but I would add a lot of composted organic matter and mix it in to the sandy soil. Composted manure, municipal compost, composted leaves, grass clippings . . . whatever you have available. Then every year add more organic matter as a surface dressing.
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laceyvail 6A, WV
10 years ago
Ditto--lots and lots of organic material. Year after year.
buyorsell888
10 years ago
Don't dig out the sand, add compost to it.
miracx
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you for your responses! Good to know that I don't have to remove all of the sand.
sunnyborders
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Example of what you can do (here) with mixed perennial gardening on upgraded sandy soil.

Although almost all the gardening in this town starts off with heavy clay, there are a few very sandy areas. Consequently I was quite concerned about working with sandy soil. The extensive beds on this property were dug down a foot with triple mix (top soil, peat, compost) and composted sheep manure worked into the sand. In subsequent years more composted manure and other organic material were worked in.

July 9, 2010.
User
10 years ago
morZ8 what's your compost made from? Thanks!!