Sand
Often described as the soil with the
least backbreak but the most heartache' it needs little working, apart
from weeding, but it dries out very quickly and always seems hungry and
thirsty.
The first step in improving its water-holding capacity is to rake in a
liberal layer of moistened peatmoss - a finger depth would be ideal.
The peatmoss must be moistened either by soaking overnight or adding
hot water just before use; if you apply it dry it will float out of the
soil when you water. You could add some compost too. You could even use
compost instead of the peatmoss, but this will disappear more rapidly
from the soil.
Once this initial step has been taken, sandy soil can be kept in a
healthy and productive state if you do what nature does and keep a
layer of leaf mould or other organic matter as a mulch over its
surface. Old grass clippings make very good mulch. Don't bother about
digging in, just keep the layer topped up as it thins out.
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