The Fantastic Gardeners team recommends washing the roots of plants before planting them in sand, which can be done by mixing sand with organic matter like compost. Sand should not be used as the primary potting soil for houseplants as it lacks beneficial nutrients for plant growth and rap. To grow water plants on top of the soil, sand must be removed quickly, as it drinks all the water and causes plants to dry out.
Mixing soil with sand is beneficial for plants that need well-draining soil, such as cacti, succulents, and container crops. Sand can make the soil more porous, improving drainage and making it easier for plants to grow. To improve sandy soil for gardening with organic materials and mulch, it is essential to position drip emitters directly above the root zone.
When using sand in your garden, it is wise to choose suitable plant varieties, such as drought-tolerant plants from hot climes or ornamental grasses and annual flowers like poppies. Regular watering is essential for improving sandy soil, as it drains quickly and can dry out quickly. The required amount of water depends on the type of plant, its size, age, and local climate.
The influence of soil temperature and moisture on soil respiration can also be assessed by fitting the model log(CO2 flux) ~ soil temperature + soil moisture (P < ). Sand can negatively affect plants and not be effective against fungus gnats, as they can go through the bottom of holes. To combat this, use a top layer of sand to prevent larvae from getting out and adults from laying new eggs. Gnats prefer peat-based mixes, so letting the mix dry out between waterings can help.
Sand does tend to keep soil from drying out sooner and promote the damp soil condition that larvae need to survive. However, if your soil is clay, sand makes the soil dry out fast and does not retain moisture. Therefore, frequent watering is crucial for plants.
📹 5 quick tips Perlite
We hope you will enjoy this video! And thank you for watching! Please feel free to share with your friends, if you like this video …
Will a layer of sand stop fungus gnats?
Fungus gnats, also known as mushroom flies or sciarid flies, are tiny insects that lay larvae in potting soil. They lay around 200 eggs a day, which the larvae feed on decaying matter and roots in the soil. Some species can damage plants, particularly seedlings, by feeding on decaying matter and roots. To get rid of fungus gnats, simply cover your potting mix with a small layer of sand, creating a barrier that the gnats cannot get through.
What kills gnats naturally?
To trap gnats in kitchen sink drains, mix warm water, apple cider vinegar, and liquid dish soap in a bowl. Place the mixture in areas where gnats are most noticeable and wait for results. Kitchen sink drains are common breeding grounds for gnats, as they thrive in warm, moist environments with food and bacteria buildup. Pour boiling water down the drain to kill any bugs or eggs, then fill the sink with water or cover the drain for at least an hour to cut off oxygen from the bugs and prevent them from flying out.
Is sand good for live plants?
Sand’s compactness can hinder plant growth and provide nutrient deficiencies, making it unsuitable for planted aquariums. It also creates anaerobic areas underwater due to minimal oxygen exchange, potentially allowing bacteria to reverse the nitrogen cycle and convert nitrates back into ammonia. Fish-keepers aim to avoid this issue by using a thinner sand layer, having bottom-feeding fish sift through the sand, or manually sifting the sand during maintenance. To address these issues, fish-keepers can use a thinner layer of sand, have bottom-feeding fish sift through the sand, or manually sift the sand during maintenance.
Do coffee grounds repel fungus gnats?
Coffee grind is a effective method for removing fungus gnat infestations by drying it thoroughly and spreading it over the potting soil. This thin layer prevents female gnats from laying eggs and can also be used as fertilizer. Baking powder and baking soda can be used to sift over the soil, moisten, and wait for the larvae to absorb the powder. Tea tree oil, a common remedy for skin infections, can also be used to remove gnat infestations. Mixing 20 drops of tea tree oil with water can help remove larvae in the soil, and for adults, adhesive traps can be used around the plant.
Can you mix sand with top soil?
To level a lawn with sand, use a mix of topsoil, compost, and fine sand. The ideal sand is play sand, which is 40 percent sand, 40 percent topsoil, and 20 percent compost. Mix the mix well to ensure it is fully blended with the soil. Apply up to 1/2 inch of leveling mix to low areas, raking it out evenly. Brush the grass back and forth with a push broom to work the leveling mix down while lifting the grass blades up. Water the area lightly, avoiding over-watering, and monitor the progress.
If the lawn is uneven, repeat the topdressing process, applying no more than 1/2 inch at a time, until it is level. Sweeping the dirt under the carpet is suitable for small sunken areas covered with healthy grass. This technique is essential for maintaining a level lawn without smothering the grass.
Should I put sand in my potted plants?
Sand is a natural mineral that enhances drainage in potting mediums by adding air spaces and improving the soil-to-sand ratio. A good soil-to-sand ratio is 4 or 5 to 1, with coarse sand being the best choice. It is best to avoid using beach sand due to its high salt content, which can be harmful to plants. Coarse construction sand is available in hardware stores, but be cautious not to contain unwanted chemicals.
Perlite, a hard, dark volcanic ore, is transformed into garden perlite by heating it to 1, 600°F. This lightweight material retains its shape even when pressed, making it ideal for creating tiny air pockets around plant roots. Horticultural perlite absorbs water, retaining moisture while draining excess water. However, it can be dusty, so wearing a mask and wetting it before adding it to a potting mix is recommended.
Vermiculite, another naturally occurring mineral, transforms into a lightweight, porous substance when heated and is further processed into brownish-colored granules of various sizes. Both minerals enhance soil aeration and drainage, but perlite excels at forming tiny air pockets for root growth and tends to shed water more readily. However, vermiculate retains more water than perlite, making it a better product for preventing seeds or plants from drying out. When purchasing vermiculite, look for the horticultural variety in garden centers.
Is it OK to put sand on top of soil?
The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agriculture suggests that using sand for top dressing home lawns is more harmful than helpful. Sand should only be used for leveling low areas, covering exposed tree roots, and fixing heavy thatch buildup. Applying sand year after year can cause lawn fertility loss. Golf courses, built on sandy soil and specialized turf grasses, thrive in sandy conditions used on greens.
The grass seed or sod used in lawns is different from the grass on golf courses. Golf courses also receive more maintenance than common lawns, which helps correct deficiencies created by sand addition.
What to put on top of plant soil?
Mulch, which serves as a protective material, is a popular choice for indoor plants. Additionally, decorative pebbles or glass beads, live plants, coco chips, and ornaments can be employed to augment the aesthetic appeal of indoor plants.
Is sand good or bad for plants?
Sandy soil is characterized by its ability to quickly drain water and be difficult to squeeze into a ball. It is easier to work with than clay soils, which require more water, fertilizer, and amending. Sandy soil is composed of irregular to rounded tiny grains of sand, which are more air-draining than the plate-like soil particles found in clay soils. This results in water moving quickly through the soil and air replacing it quickly.
Sandy soils dry out faster than clay soils due to the faster replacement of water with air. This is beneficial for plants that prefer quick root drying, but can also be adjusted to support plants that do not. It is difficult to determine the type of soil you have without a soil test, but your local county extension service can help with a basic soil test to determine the type of clay soil you have.
In summary, sandy soil is a type of soil that is easier to work with and preferable by many plants. It requires more water, fertilizer, and amending, but is generally preferred by many plants.
What do you put on top of top soil?
Compost can be used to enhance garden and landscaping by enriching the soil by mixing 1-2 inches of compost into the top 3-5 inches of soil. This will unlock the nutrients already present in the soil. Topsoil, the top layer of soil above bedrock, is the most nutrient-rich and organically rich. However, most topsoil lacks the necessary organic matter for plants to grow. The more organic matter in the soil, the better it is for growing plants. Topsoil is the most nutrient-rich layer of soil, but it may not contain all the necessary organic matter for plants to reach their full potential.
Do plants grow faster in sand?
Soil particles are separated by pores, which are filled with water and/or air. After heavy rainfall or irrigation, pore spaces are nearly 100 filled with water. Over time, water passes through the soil due to gravity, evaporates into the air, or is used by plant roots, filling more pore spaces. Clay particles have very little pore space to hold air and water. Pore space generally occupies 30-60 of total soil volume. A well-structured soil has both large pores (macropores) and tiny pores (micropores), providing a balance of air and water for plants.
Organic matter (OM) is previously living material on the soil surface, known as litter or duff. This surface layer reduces the impact of raindrops on the soil structure, prevents erosion, and breaks down to supply nutrients that leach into the soil with rainfall or irrigation. In the soil, OM decomposes further into humus, a stable and highly decomposed residue that is an important nutrient source for plants and helps aggregate soil particles.
📹 Why Have I Been Growing Plants in Sand?Using Sand medium for Rooting Cuttings | Plant Propagation
Why have I been growing plants in sand? I’ve been getting this question ever since the burning bush and lavender propagation …
.. Dear Swedish Plantguys.. Because of you I learned about perlite, pumice and vermiculite back in October / November and my plants are so much happier.. They grow a lot better and push out new growth so much easier too.. It is also easier to water and know when to water, so thank you for all your teaching, all your guidance, all you sharing, all your knowledge, all your tips.. It is so very appreciated 🤗🌞
I have been rooting a Monstera Albo cutting in water for the last couple of months and it was recommended to me that I try perlite. I did have concerns over the transition from water to soil for when the cutting was ready to be potted (I have read that water roots are different to soil roots, and this can be stressful for the plant). But your article suggests that perlite is the solution and further bolsters the recommendation to switch to propagation in perlite. Thanks so much!
Thank you for the valuable information on perlite. It is so help for my future gardening, I use it a lot with my succulents & cacti but didn’t know I should dampened it or use it to protect the seeds & much more. Thank you again and keep up the good work. I love your website. I get a lot of help from the info you provide. Tina from Canada😍
And this is how good content is made,, where a burning passion and solid knowledge is the driving force, instead of trying to flog your products to the viewers. @Swedish Plantguys: Thank you for your excellent teachings! Question: You have mentioned that you grow in a pumice and clay mix, can you explain a bit more on this and what clay you use?
i have a problem of water retention. If i try to Flash my pot, the water remains on the surface for at least 5 to 10min.. and the soil have the texture of clay. I thought that using a lots of perlite will help to drain, but it doesnt help lol, it just do nothing to drainage. My soil is a 3 years(reusing the same soil) mix of peat, organic fertilizer, black soil, shrimp compost. So i dont understand why it become a kind of muddy or clay texture and no water drainage. I should use Sand i think. Should it? Thanks!
If you’re interested in any of the products I frequently use around the nursery, here are some links. Thanks for supporting the website and happy gardening! Hormodin #3 Rooting Powder: amzn.to/3n5F9tS Clonex Rooting Gel: amzn.to/37WqhJF Dip N Grow Rooting Liquid: amzn.to/2WXIU9Q Corona Shears: amzn.to/2WUS2Mt Leaf Trimming Shears: amzn.to/38KrVxt Orchard Lopper: amzn.to/2Jt5pAo Propagation Tote: amzn.to/34WIdlB Propagation Dome and Heat Mat Combo: amzn.to/37WqHQf Indoor Grow Light: amzn.to/2WSxJiT Grow Tent: amzn.to/37X01Pj Heavy Duty Heat Mat: amzn.to/3hyTAoV
Hi Mike and Readers, I have worked in greenhouses (commercial, research, teaching set-ups) and I have used many mediums for propagation. Sometimes it was straight vermiculite, perlite, water, sand, fir bark or mixtures of these owing to the fact that I had to use what was on hand. Sand, by far, for most cuttings, is the way to go. It develops much stronger root systems than the others- and there is research on this. It’s what I saw used in the old school greenhouses: Frames with sand on benches with a timed mister. Works like a charm. I taught hundreds of kids- 1st-5th graders on propagation techniques and we decided that sand in the little milk cartons was the way to go. Lol. Right now, I am doing an experiment with native rhododendrons to see if pure sand or a mixture of 50/50 sand and fir bark will give the best results for root development.( I am planning to grow native and rare plants/shrubs/trees my community and restoration.) Thanks for the article!
I use play sand from the big box store and it works perfect. I cut a sucker off of one of my tomato plants this summer and stuck it in the sand and it routed. Sand works great. You got me going all around my yard taking cuttings just to see what happens. I now have so many plants I don’t need. The one that worked the best is my 2 leftover poinsettia from last Christmas. I now have 8 new beautiful poinsettias.
great article, I’m also a fan of using sand to propagate. one thing overlooked about sand is that the individual grains are mostly round. when you fill a container with spheres, 40% of the volume is air! even though it looks small, sand is letting plenty of air around the roots. it also has a negative charge which causes the hydrogen side of the water molecule with a positive charge to stick right to it. each grain of sand holds a one molecule thick coating of water. you get just the right amount of air and water for root development. Gary Matsuoka is a nursery owner with a youtube website lectures about the benefits of growing plants minerals, like they do in nature, instead of organic dead rotting plants. definitely worth checking out. he makes a real gritty potting soil too called Top Pot that I’ve use for trees which is only a third organic material.
Thank you Mike! I failed not once but twice trying to transplant a Plumeria cutting. The cutting rotted out both times when it was transferred to a potting soil solution. I used your advice and the cutting is now finally taking off! I used the same cutting because it is a rare color. I watered it only once and checked back in 2 weeks. It now has roots. Thank you.
Hi Mike, its Spring here in South Africa and 6.11am. From perusal your articles, propagting has my soul…i cant wait now to get out there this morning and try this out. I’m fairly new to gardening, found it a sanity saver during lockdown so a BIG thank you for your inspiring articles. Love your energy!
This makes sense. Years ago I had transplanted daffodils from their store bought medium into a terra-cotta pot with some of that old soil and threw sand on top. I left it out after it bloomed for the whole summer and through the winter and it bloomed right on time in early Spring. None of the bulbs had rotted or become soft. It was a total surprise.
thank you, all my previous propagation from cuttings always failed, except roses and grapes. Then i encountered your vids and the idea of draining well made me give antoher shot at propagation via cuttings. I cut some young willow branches in littel pievces, put that in water and used that to wet the sand. Our river has nice course sand i sift it and its pretty nice. In a larger pot with a translucent plastic pot over the cuttings. Just started putting cuttings in there so we’ll see but the confidence of giving it another try is purely because i found your website, thank you sir!,Whether it works or not, it just feels right to use cuttings (we use olive leaves in herbal tea and it is just so cool to use a litle branche and now try to root it.) LOL i put a green asperagus in it, store bought, if somebody reacts or likes this post ill be able to find it in the future and report back on it 🙂
I live in a beach community in California; we do jot have any regular dirt, it’s all SAND! Lol. I love growing plants (all plants;) I love gardening 🧑🌾. I just started sticking my plants in the sand and now I have a beautiful garden in my front yard. I live the sand. I live. the drainage sand has. I agree with your method!!!! Hahah.
Mike, when i started getting interest in plants, I recall reading that it was a no-no when it came to use ordinary sand for cuttings. It was said that the cutting has no air space which we all know we can get with perlite and peat moss. It went on to say that builders sand was the best for cuttings. No wonder there is so much confusion when reading advice from different ‘experts’. One says yes and the other says no. Well i am going to try your plain sand with my crepe myrtle cuttings.
Even for succulent propagation sand is a great medium. Most of the people use water as a medium to propagate, but it’s quite difficult to change the medium from water to soil once rooting started. No such problems with sand, as one can tranfer it to the soil along with the sand without disturbing the roots.
Mike ty so much for this article! I tried some coarse sand for Sunflower seeds, dwarf French beans, beetroots, nasturtiums and sweet peas! So far everything has germinated with beautiful roots apart from the sweet peas.. I might be too late with those but very excited… Plus.. Can reuse the sand again! You sir are a genius 😁
Hi mike found this article now so i have the answer to the sand question thanks, Hey have you tried eggy bread ?whisk 2 eggs put it in a Deepesh flat plate, then get your sliced bread lay it on it and literally soak both sides i mean soaked then put a little oil in a pan and put your bread into a pan and cook both sides its lovely kids will love it .im from Wales UK i learned of this 20 years ago try it out .Take care.
Fine the bark .I’ve been using a bark from a tree in my park that’s like co coir it’s some kind of evergreen fur or something orangey type bark that’s really stringy and when it’s all ripped up kicks total ass for plant roots. Maybe that’s what it is the bark, I’ve not fully identified the species of tree it is yet. Plants love it tho .breacks down really well and roots love it.
I have several species that also have delicate roots so I developed a method of making sure they do not get damaged when re-potting or when planting propagation from them. When Propagating plants in water or sand that have fine root trichomes (root hairs) there is a way to get them into your soil with out damaging them. First fill your receiving pot almost all the to the ideal level for your plant with your soil medium I would leave about 1/8th to 1/4th unfilled. Then using the finger of one hand plug the drain hole in the pot (or use a larger vessel to put the pot in). Now you run water over the soil to temporarily make it soupy. Now with your soil nice and sloshy insert your plant most of the way. Finally allow the water to drain and the soil will naturally cover the roots and their delicate trichomes and you can top off to the ideal level for the plant.
Thanks for the article, Mike. I’ve purchased some building sand for propagation and the only thing I’m not sure of is whether the sand needs to be washed. Did you ever wash your sand before using it? The only issue I’ve heard of with unwashed sand is that it may contain salts which could be detrimental for root development. I’ve tried washing the sand myself but it seems like quite a waste of water to me. I suppose I may only have to do it once though
As I continue on perusal your different articles of your planting show .. I have learned that sands is a good soil for planting .. I have to try this but need to see what kind of plants that suits to the sands planting .. I will watch might you have something idea you can share me which plants I wll buy .. take care .. cheers
Hello Mike. Greetings from Vermont. Loved the article. I managed to find fir bark mulch at Lowes. It is packaged as orchid growing media, and is very coarse and chunky. Of course, my wife was not impressed with me using her blender to make it more fine. I am so glad to find your latest sand media article and will be using playground sand. She is happy too, with that decision. Last year I followed your instructions on rooting cuttings of wiegela and hydrangias. They started out fine for 6 weeks but then I made the mistake of too much moisture, leading to rot. I learned this from this year’s spring follow-up article that you did.I’m trying again this year. Looks like you’ve adapted to the pinky tendon injury. Best regards to you and your family, Craig
Glad you put this out there. I’ve tried your other methods using fir bark, soil and other mixtures, but there’s too much bacteria in the stuff, and that causes all of my cuttings to rot. This year I just used plain river sand with no additives and that gave me a 100 percent success rate. I sprayed the cuttings with an anti fugal solution every now and again. Instead of filling tubs or propagation frames with sand, I put each cutting in a see through plastic cup to keep the total weight down. You said that this method was difficult when using it with rhododendrons because of their fine root system, so I was wondering how long I should leave them in the sand before moving them to rhododendron soil.
We’ve started several cutting of hibiscus, geranium and crepe myrtle back in December – which are now showing new growth coming out of the stems. However, interestingly, there do not appear to be any roots?! Can you explain what may be going on, and when should we consider transplanting these into soil? Love your website, very informative! 👍 😊
Hiya Mr.Kincaid, I’ve got some figs (White Genoa, Panache Tiger, and VdB) rooting in play sand with some rooting hormone. Some are budding at the moment, and I hope at least half of them root. Rooted them 3/1/22. I have never had a taste of figs, so I’m looking forward to it. Your article convinced me to try rooting with sand, so you have my thanks! Take care, Mr.Kincaid.
This is my first time propagating during the summer, it gets as hot as 110, I thought my cuttings would cook. I made a propagation frame, according to Mikes directions. I used a dual pane window frame as my glass top. I filled the frame with all purpose sand from Home Depot, which ranges from fine to course texture. We are 3 month later now. I think I got 100% success. They’re ready to be potted up, but I’m waiting till it cool down. The truly amazing thing is, inside my frame it stayed about 15 degrees cooler than the outdoor temp. I’m sure the wood frame provided insulation along with the dual plane window panel. It’s amazing! I didn’t have a north facing wall with good light, so I used 85% shade cloth as my wall. Morning sun afternoon shade! Thanks Mike! ❤️
Newbie here! I’m going to try propagating blueberry cuttings. My plan is to dip them in root hormone then 100% play sand. Is that correct? How long do I leave them in sand before I transfer them to soil, and then, should I do a pot or put in the ground? When they’re ready for a pot or ground, what do you recommend to go along with the potting soil? Thank you! 😊
Hey Mike! New subscriber here! I love your website and Ive been perusal your articles a lot especially about Rooting a rose branch! It worked! Thank you so much for sharing your idea about using sand as rooting medium, I could surely try them and will give you updates as well! God Bless and stay safe🙏🏼💕
Sand is widely available due to construction industry. Any DiY store will have it. Did you know Sandponics (a spin on hydroponics) is a thing? You can absolutely grow in sand. Seedlings need no nutrition, and once into first true leaves the water can have nutrition added. And you can use normal plant fertiliser for most grows – none of this specialist expensive A+B hydroponic solutions needed. It’s cheap and it works. I love it.
Hi Mike, I’m quite a bit aways from the fires and can’t go outside right now because it’s hard to breathe so I hope you and your family are staying safe. Anyhoo, back to my question…do you think using sand would work as well for propagating rose cuttings and hydrangeas? Also, I have some rooted propagated hydrangea cuttings ready to roll that I started back in March…should I be potting them up now, or let them overwinter in the same pot? Just not sure since it’s so late in the season (my fault, had too many garden projects going), if they are better left where I started them? Last thing I wanted to mention/offer was that I have some very unique hydrangeas (I’d need to figure out how to show you a picture of them) because I think you would love to have some cuttings and I’d be more than happy to share with you. I’ll get you the name of them soon…need to find my notes
I am so glad to find this article! You are only the second person I’ve discovered on YouTube to recommend sand as a growing medium (Gary’s Best Gardening was the other). I use builder’s sand–also called torpedo sand–in all my new beds and I mix it into my existing beds as much as I can. It rains a ton where I live, so the excellent drainage is really helpful. The biggest drawback is the weight. My garden dolly gets a workout! But the results are worth it.
I dug a couple holes in my yard to get some sand lol. actually it was to plant some plants but I figured I’d get some sand while I was at it dug down to say 4 in. and then it ended up being red clay.. 😅😭 You’re wondering why I didn’t already know this? is because all of the plantings that I’m doing are in containers and in raised beds because I never trusted this soil here anyway. So I guess I’ll have to buy sand because I don’t live anywhere near a beach lol. All my containers and raised beds are also because I didn’t plan on living here this long which is a whole other can of worms…
Will polymeric sand work? I would like an alternative in case I run out of bark mulch. I have only had success with cuttings this year after perusal your articles. Other articles I’ve emulated in past years advised a potting mix of some sort and every single cutting would rot. I have lots of mulch and used it for a rose cutting as well as hydrangeas and a lavender and they all survived and actually grew new leaves. I hope they survive the winter. Thank you for all your articles!! 👍👍
Have a question I know that you probably did a article on it, but I’m beat just got in from working my plants outside and my ulnar problems are not happy with me right now. Oh well I’ve got things that need to be done and they won’t do it by themselves. Anyway question a branch got broken off of by BlackBerry Bush (which is container grown), from the storm we the other day it’s still green and looks OK, is there a way I could get it started to root? Could I use root tone on it and hope for the best or is it a lost cause? Still enjoy your articles have just been quiet on the sidelines. Hope this finds all well with you and your family. Take care ad best always Rusty
Would sand be suitable to root fig cuttings, or would it drain too much water? My dad in SW AR took leftover cedar wood chip bedding for pets & piled it up around his in-ground 3ft tall brunswick fig tree for winter. This summer, as I helped clean out around it, I was amazed at how much weeds, fig tree roots, & earthworms were all in it & I wonder if media like that would be good for those of us that don’t have your available resource?
Yo Mike! Thanks for the informational article. I have to ask though, why not just continue growing in sand?? IOW, Why only the seedlings or cuttings? Will their roots stop growing in the sand after a certain time? Can fertilizer not be added to the sand or water if lack of nutrients in the sand is an issue? Good stuff Mandude, keep em’ coming! ✊
Usually, while perusal this kind of articles, I kinda wait for the people to…let`s say, corner themselves (in plain English: to say something either contradictory or really stupid). I did the same here – throughout the article. And guess what: to my surprise, this guy managed to be funny, poetic, get to the point, explain the different varieties of sand …and…most importantly – not a whopper among all that. Kudos to you, Mike! PS: I, too, recently started growing my plants in SAND and I can only concur: YES, it works, damn it! It even has a few perks comparing to using regular soil. And by the way, I use the most affordable (cheap as hell) SANDBOX SAND. Nothing more, nothing less. (Unfortunately, it doesn`t say on the sack what size the sand grains are, so I have to assume that sandbox sand is kinda one-size-fits-all sort of sand……it`t pretty fine though, yet not as fine as the ocean sand). So, to those who don`t believe it, I can only say: give it a try, and you, too, will become a believer 🙂
Been perusal Iceland’s Volcanoes 🌋 erupt after 8000 years. It made me think about sand for potting. That darker sand, the coarse sand, that Mike’s using, looks like that sand has some volcanic ash & nutrients in it. I think millions of years ago, Mike’s area was heavily volcanic and the earth’s crust broke down quite a bit from glaciers during the Ice Ages & breakdown of some biological material. So…. I’ll try sand! But definitely NOT New Jersey beach sand, hope it works! I’m at my wits end with 🌹 🥀 🌹
Also I like sand because when is summer time is super hotter for the plants but sand helps the roots to be freshly 🙂 Mike have you watched the website “The Weedy Garden”? .. Interesting about this.. When is raining the water have energy because of ray and plants are more alive. So.. When made Compost50% and bokashi 50% = is Compashi 100% .. but 10 % is made of energy=”grey” is Basalt, Volcanic Rocks, Crusher Dust, Blue Metal Dust and Paramagneto Rock… All is electromagnetic energy .. I like that too.
I’m a bit confused by something you mentioned in your article. I totally understand the value of using sand as it’s inert and provides good drainage. However, I was under the impression that organic substances, such as fir bark, are not inert (they are broken down by bacteria). Couldn’t this eventually be harmful to the cuttings that you’re trying to root?
So I’m out on the peninsula where the soil is almost all sand and it doesn’t drain well at all. I can water for 30 minutes and then wipe my hand across the surface of the soil and it’s completely dry. Anytime I plant anything I dig a oversized hole and mix in peat moss, compost and garden soil and hope for the best. Survival rate for bigger plants and trees is pretty low.
Hi Mike … so far, I used coarse sand for my rose cuttings and worked well, thanks to your guideline 😊. However, one time I accidentally got fine sand (for construction) and I can’t return it – from 5 pots, that I’ve tried with fine sand, only one actually grew new leaves and flower bud while the rest either rot or in 50-50 condition. So, is there a way to improve the fine sand so can get quality like coarse sand i.e. adding pumice, mineral rocks, etc?
My property is all sand. Just sand. 80% fine sand, 20% black sand. Mixing the whole garden with “dirt” is not feasible. However, I have been adding organic matter to my 7500 sq. ft. garden for 9 years and it’s getting pretty good. I’m envious of those just a couple of hours north of me where the soil is so amazing, anyone can toss in seeds and have an amazing garden. First time gardeners thinking they are pro because they had an amazing garden with almost no effort. It’s not that easy here.
Interestingly enough. My place is mostly sand and clay. And everything grows great. So For my first real garden last year I put a few inches of potting soil on top for a good start. That’s it. After I had corn growing about 10 ft tall, I started a few things in only sand to test. So far I’ve done corn, bean’s, sunflower, peas. Potatoes. And a few others I cannot think of. everything still grows great. I went as far to plant a few handfuls of dried store bought beans, right in the sand, Some buried, some ontop, and still had a good germination rate. Right now I’m sprouting a pot with about 15 bean plants and just some used coffee grounds ontop of the sand. They are coming along good. Once I figured out sand worked good, For this year I started putting small chunks of charcoal from a fire place, Just the coal. (not ash) Just to have something els in their that will hold water and keep the top from dying so quickly. To make it easier for sprouting seeds.
Mike, I’ve started “rooting” gardenia (I think it’s a double blooming Tahitian) branches in water. Tiny white roots r showing but would I be better off switching over to sand or soil to help aid the process? I ask bc the some of the roots r turning from white to a dingy brownish color And I have not dipped the ends in rooting hormone or honey…at least not yet (though I was considering snipping end again and a “honey-dip”) Thoughts??? TY!
Hey Mike! Myself, I had to unsubscribe with the Bell due to I was getting my email filled up with too many darn YouTube notifications. I actually missed many of your articles for a long time as I had done such. Now that YouTube has STOPPED forwarding ALL my bell notifications to my email, and only sends my phone a ding with a notification… I have signed back up to getting immediate alerts with the bell! That might explain the change from a user point of view? I now see more of my favorite websites this way. Love your website… will have to go back to see how your finger has done.. unless you read these and want to update. Thanks for all that you do.
Hi Mike, I have been using sand for quite awhile! I have however just recently started mixing course (builders/sharp sand) with perlite and potting compost. It drains quickly but it just holds onto a very small of moisture and so far my cuttings have really come on nicely. I have also just treated myself to a heating mat so my fig cuttings can have some bottom heat!! Looking forward to using it!! All the best Mike, take care. Graham👍👍♥️
Morning, I am mommy linda francisco from Philippines I happen to scrool your article and it interest me . I love gardening and I really looking forward on how to find a right potting mix for plants . Thankfully I happen to see your article and make me realize on why not try it . I become interested in following more of you articles . Anyway, I am a senior citizen now who happen to love gardening . Thank you for sharing and keep going . God bless you and family . Keep safe always …
I’m planning on trying air layering (azaleas) and everything I see uses peat moss. It seems to me that air layering in the same as regular rooting except that it’s done inside a contained environment. Do you have any experience with air layering and is peat the way it’s done or is there a place for sand here also?
7:56 The filtering sand is exactly the opposite of what your are saying.:body-blue-raised-arms: Filtering sand have a narrow particle size distribution (all same size). So the water can pass with less restriction compare to a broad size distribution (dirt+small sand +coarse sand = compaction). Filtering sand will retain less water and compaction sand (broad size distribution) will retain way too much.:penguin-blue-waving-tear: The other factor is the size: coarse sand will retain less water compare to a very fine sand, obviously. So, a fine filtering sand can retain less water compare to a 0-3/4 compaction mix.
Wait, you said ‘ocean n sand go hand in hand’ but one shouldn’t actually use ocean sand, as it has a lot of salt content. I am not sure how does it affect plant as I have never tried it, but I have heard people don’t recommend using ocean sand, instead it’s better to use river sand. I use river sand (30%) in my potting mix as well, as it enhance drainage (along with 30% garden soil, 30%organic compost, 10% others, perlite, coco coir, neem powder fertilizer to prevent root rot, etc) in pots.
…so if one can use sand, then could one use perlite? About this youtube thing. they need an attitude adjustment upside the head imo. At the bell on a page like this, it will give you the latest articles but i really wish they would bring back the old way. I am still trying to get something to root, Mike. and one of these days you will hear a big YES when it happens. cheers!
Looks like unwashed sand.(small amounts of clay and silt and organics.) Washed sand is used for concrete, finely screened and washed sand is known as plaster sand. Particle size wise, the air content and to a lesser extent the drainage speed of any sand or gravel is based largely on the particle size distribution more than the mean particle size. A very wide size range will have a high dry bulk density(low air space) and a very narrow size grade will have a low density(more air). For a given parent rock whether all the particles are between 1 and 1.5mm or 1 and 1.5 inch you will find the two have same bulk density(airspace) but a wide grade mixing 1mm to 1.5inch will be very dense as the particles pack together. The exception is when you get down to the silt level and the various chemical forces like surface tension and static start to dominate. Still reading? It is important to know if the parent rock has a lot of limestone as it will jack up the pH uncontrollably, most other parent rock is pretty neutral. (other than in certain concrete reactions.) You can test for limestone by mixing a bit of sand with some acid and looking for fizz, or mixing sand with distilled water and testing the pH with a pool/pond test strip after it sits for an hour. Geologists carry some 10:1 diluted muriatic for checking rock fizz but strong vinegar should work with sand’s high surface area.
Sand is great for mixing in potting soil to make it drain well and to make it lighter, but I would be careful if you get sand from the beach as it has a lot of salt from the ocean. I would think that you would have to wash it well before you can use it for plants! Sand from fresh water areas is fine, but be mindful when you take sand from any area. Fill in your holes and make sure you have permission to take from that area. Happy planting, and God Bless!
Hi Mike. I have a beautiful Yoshino Cherry Blossom in my backyard. I’ve tried cuttings, air layering and planting seeds and nothing. No seedlings or roots, after 3 months I gave up. Anyway I need your expertise on how to get more trees? I used sand and perlite, potting soil and manure and sphagnum peat moss and still nothing. Please help. Hagerstown Maryland
SAND WARS documentary talks about the world problem with harvesting sand. You’d think it’s everywhere and would never run out but it’s harvested from seabeds where ocean life begins and killing off that life cycle close to the shore. It’s used in mass construction around the world, silicone chips in tech, shoring up against flooding, gardens, making bricks, landscaping hotel beaches, and while demand is growing, the supply of sand remains the same. Shorelines are eroded and seabeds stripped to get it because sand is good business, particularly in 3rd world countries, where people often cross borders to steal it in the night and sell it in their own country. Harvesting ships are invading waters to harvest somewhere else. But the bottom line is the life cycle of the ocean is impacted since many microrgs and juvenile aquatic life starts out in sand. Sure, just another problem to worry about, but it’s something to bear in mind about when we get into garden fads only to create still more problems somewhere else. The best plan is recycle sand, and check out the documentary SAND WARS to get a grasp on the problem. We would never think to strip cut a forest on our property, but that’s what we’re doing with international sand. Just sayin’ 🙂
You have to wonder what kind of pot smoking airheads are running youtube, if they do not notify people of a new article on their subscriptions list how would they ever know to watch the article? That said, I am still getting notifications for all of my subscription websites. On sand types, it would not be good to use beach sand as that must contain a fair contamination of salt ! Stay safe ! Chris B.