View Full Version : Sand
saxybill1
06-25-2016, 05:17 AM
Where can you purchase course sand? I have checked with home depot and Lowe's to no avail. Additionally, what is the course sand named?
Thanks
pukpukz
06-25-2016, 08:17 AM
Bill look up sand Pits that sell by the ton or a Concrete Company they will have it
scashaggy
06-25-2016, 08:39 AM
Paver base is a very course sand. I don't know how it is for planting though. Also don't know if there is anything else mixed in. You will find it by the bricks and stone pavers usually in the outside garden section off HD or Lowes.
Snarkie
06-25-2016, 11:21 AM
If you are going to use it as a planting medium, then you want ground pumice. You can find it at tack shops and other country/farm suppliers under the names Stall-Dri or Dri-Stall.
It'll work just like sand, but also hold a little moisture as well.
Now, if you still want coarse sand and you live in a colder area, drop by your local Town Garage or DOT Garage and see if they'll "sell you" a little bit that they use for sanding the roads in winter. Chances are, they'll tell you to take some for free, but don't take advantage of the situation (return trips). If you're honest and say it's for planting, they'll usually work with you. I do this with tire shops when looking for wheel weights to melt down for bullets. It's amazing how people will work with you when you tell them exactly what you need it for.
If that doesn't work, then go back to the Homie Depot and tell them you want coarse sand. They have it. Quikrete 50 lb. All-Purpose Sand-115251 - The Home Depot (http://www.homedepot.com/p/Quikrete-50-lb-All-Purpose-Sand-115251/100318450)
saxybill1
06-25-2016, 12:21 PM
Thanks very much guys, I'll go back to home depot today.
Bill
Snarkie
06-25-2016, 01:10 PM
Bill-
You need to understand that most of the people who work at Slowes and the Homie Despot, have no idea of what they are doing, or what the products are. Once in a while, you will run into a retired contractor who knows what he's doing, and you will get the best advice you've ever heard. Aside from that, expect a McDonald's order-taker response:
"Duh-uh, hmm... lemme read what it says... hmm, duh... I don't know. Maybe you should ask someone in Plumbing. They use sand in plumbing, right?"
Mark Dragt
06-25-2016, 01:28 PM
I have never tried buying it. I make my own.
:woohoonaner:
Snarkie
06-25-2016, 01:32 PM
I have never tried buying it. I make my own.
:woohoonaner:If this involves bricks, gravel and high explosives, I'm all in for it!!!
Mark Dragt
06-25-2016, 01:45 PM
No Doug, no. No Explosives. I have a small rock crusher. I can set the jaws very close and crush rocks from my yard. I then sift out the large pieces and crush them again. Then I sift out the very fines. I made a special clean course sand for my Manini. It is a mix of green and white rocks. When I plant the Manini outside I will post pictures.
:woohoonaner:
Mark Dragt
06-25-2016, 02:03 PM
If this involves bricks, gravel and high explosives, I'm all in for it!!!
Although it would be more fun to make sand this way, one could end up on the no fly list.
HMelendez
06-25-2016, 02:11 PM
Although it would be more fun to make sand this way, one could end up on the no fly list.
LOL!......:08:
Tytaylor77
06-25-2016, 02:57 PM
I like to mix coarse sand with #3 sandblasting sand. It's a little more rocky. I mix 50/50. Works great. I only use it for rooting corms though. After roots I remove and plant in soil.
cincinnana
06-25-2016, 07:48 PM
Where can you purchase course sand? I have checked with home depot and Lowe's to no avail. Additionally, what is the course sand named?
Thanks
Course sand is can be compared to large curd and small curd of cottage
cheese.
.
Course sand is large curd....the bigger rounded pieces.
You may buy the largest particle size of sand and still be good.
The larger the better.
Alternates
Perlite
And the products Snarkie had mentioned..... I have used them all as an amendment in my soil mix's and they work well.
Are you growing in containers (https://www.flickr.com/photos/hostafarian/albums/72157659727243221)or the ground.
saxybill1
06-25-2016, 10:27 PM
Thanks goes to you all for assistance. I did find the course mix at home depot and am pleased with my purchase. I did look at the sand and it appears to meet my expectations. I can't get pumice in this areas, only on line and the shipping is extreme. Again, my thanks.
Bill
P.S. Some of you did give me a chuckle and it's nice that folks do not take things so seriously
Mark Dragt
06-25-2016, 11:36 PM
We do have some fun here. I love it!
But when the gloves go on, and the shovel goes in the ground, all business.
:nanadrink:
saxybill1
06-26-2016, 04:30 AM
Oh, and I am growing in containers, zone 7.
Bill
subsonicdrone
06-26-2016, 05:49 AM
Mark,
a crusher like this one?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bSmO9N25Yk
as per the comments in this video you should paint it blue and get some large
googly eyes to make it look like the cookie monster
what prompted you to buy this gear?
what type of rock specifically is it?
are you on mindat?
Mark Dragt
06-26-2016, 11:34 AM
Mark,
a crusher like this one?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bSmO9N25Yk
as per the comments in this video you should paint it blue and get some large
googly eyes to make it look like the cookie monster
what prompted you to buy this gear?
what type of rock specifically is it?
are you on mindat?
My crusher is a lot like that one. I got it from a guy that was going to scrap it because the engine wouldn't run. After I made the repairs, I have been using it ever since.
Basically I just crush the rocks I find in my yard. Mostly basalt, and some granite. Some others mixed in that I can't identify. Even some very hard rocks that give the crusher some trouble.
I invite you to look through my Clean Course Sand gallery to see the pictures I uploaded.
Snarkie
06-26-2016, 12:33 PM
Thanks goes to you all for assistance. I did find the course mix at home depot and am pleased with my purchase. I did look at the sand and it appears to meet my expectations. I can't get pumice in this areas, only on line and the shipping is extreme. Again, my thanks.
Bill
P.S. Some of you did give me a chuckle and it's nice that folks do not take things so seriouslyDo you have Southern States up there. I know they carry it. Horse suppliers will have it as well. Don't ask for pumice; the dumbashes won't know what your talking about. Every place that told me they didn't carry pumice for stalls all said they had Stally Dri when I called back. They're idiots. It's worse than going to the plumbing department at Lowes and asking for assistance.
Snarkie
06-26-2016, 12:36 PM
Although it would be more fun to make sand this way, one could end up on the no fly list.Nah, use black powder. IDK what the laws are in WA, but here in NC if you have 20 acres or more it's automatically zoned for Ag Use, so you can build without permits, bury people without permits and blow stuff up if it's in your way, like stumps, beaver dams and pesky rocks.
Snarkie
06-26-2016, 01:44 PM
Thanks goes to you all for assistance. I did find the course mix at home depot and am pleased with my purchase. I did look at the sand and it appears to meet my expectations. I can't get pumice in this areas, only on line and the shipping is extreme. Again, my thanks.
Bill
P.S. Some of you did give me a chuckle and it's nice that folks do not take things so seriouslyWe have a pretty good blend of folks on here. Some of us are more serious than others, while some of us like to mix it up. As an actor and writer, my sense of humor can come out, but as a conservation officer and politician, I can also be all business, as Mark indicated when the shovel goes in the ground. You'll like us! :0519:
saxybill1
06-30-2016, 10:46 AM
I think you and I would get along very well my friend.
Bill
cincinnana
07-02-2016, 06:46 AM
I can't get pumice in this areas, only on line and the shipping is extreme.
Walmart up the street has pumice in the lawn and garden section sold as landscape rock.....just checked. Do you want black or rust color?
Home Depot down the street has it also.... All under 5 bucks a bag
saxybill1
07-02-2016, 06:58 AM
I'll check with walmart today, thanks.
cincinnana
07-04-2016, 06:06 PM
Where can you purchase course sand? I have checked with home depot and Lowe's to no avail. Additionally, what is the course sand named?
Thanks
Just having fun with the post....
I live within of the confines of three rivers...... which means lots of sand...
I live on a hill at the confluence of the Ohio, Great Miami(named after two tribes of local Indians.... Shawnee and Miami) and the White Water Rivers.
There is lots of sand.
But locally no one uses sand as an amendment...
But the bottom farm land in the flood plain is rich with sand.
. Photo is a Local gravel /sand pit which I used in a previous post
Pile is at least 1/4 mile long 80 feeet high 200 feet wide.
https://c6.staticflickr.com/2/1624/26336277325_609e8bb3e0_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/G8fiGZ)
Sand (https://flic.kr/p/G8fiGZ) by
Hostafarian (https://www.flickr.com/photos/hostafarian/),
on Flickr
Nicolas Naranja
07-04-2016, 10:15 PM
The only reason I would ever put sand into a potting mix is for weight to make it more difficult for the pots to blow over. The best mix I tested for TC-plantlets was 55% sphagnum, 22.5% Perlite, 22.5% Vermiculite by volume. It is really light, but in a greenhouse that is ok. If I was doing something for 3 or 7 gallon pots outside I would probably replace some of the perlite with sand to weigh it down.
PR-Giants
07-08-2016, 07:00 AM
For my commercial bananas and others that I want to grow fast and healthy I use sand, but will use 50% sphagnum, 25% Perlite, 25% Vermiculite by volume for ornamental bananas that I prefer grow slowly.
One of the problems with using sand (illustrated in the photos below) is that the pups grow too big too fast.
I replanted this variegated banana into a larger pot on March 4 and in 2 months it had pups, a month and a half after that 2 of the pups had perfect football size corms but the other 2 pups were way too big.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=52738 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=52738)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=52631 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=52631)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=57102 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=57102)
Snarkie
07-08-2016, 03:42 PM
Okay, how can pups grow too big or too quickly? Is it like a tree, where they become weak, or am I missing something?
cincinnana
07-09-2016, 09:49 PM
Okay, how can pups grow too big or too quickly? Is it like a tree, where they become weak, or am I missing something?
Only in the tropics.....everything is bigger, faster, better in the tropics.
Lots of warm air.....lots.
geissene
07-11-2016, 12:05 PM
In a few more weeks of growth, he will need a bigger tape measure. Which would be another problem...
Snarkie
07-11-2016, 12:25 PM
I can loan him the one I use to measure my biceps. :ha:
saxybill1
07-15-2016, 06:37 PM
Well, I originated this post and after trying the sand I had purchased from home depot, I'm not happy with the results. The sand is just too fine to use. So I went in search of something else and ended up with poultry grit which is fabulous. But, there is one problem, it's expensive for 8.99 a 30 lb bag. So the search goes on for an alternative to sand. Any thoughts?
Snarkie
07-16-2016, 05:35 AM
Well, I originated this post and after trying the sand I had purchased from home depot, I'm not happy with the results. The sand is just too fine to use. So I went in search of something else and ended up with poultry grit which is fabulous. But, there is one problem, it's expensive for 8.99 a 30 lb bag. So the search goes on for an alternative to sand. Any thoughts?Blasting sand is probably going to be cheaper, and it's definitely sharp. Road or highway sand is probably the cheapest and most coarse sand you'll be able to find, short of the Great Sand Dunes in CO. You might also try a landscaping supply company, but you'll probably have to get it by the ton or something.
cincinnana
07-16-2016, 09:34 PM
Well, I originated this post and after trying the sand I had purchased from home depot, I'm not happy with the results. The sand is just too fine to use. So I went in search of something else and ended up with poultry grit which is fabulous. But, there is one problem, it's expensive for 8.99 a 30 lb bag. So the search goes on for an alternative to sand. Any thoughts?
Still looking......Check out a amendment called perlite.
This mix will excel with your plants.
I use it ...and it will work for you.
There are many alternatives to sand, you just have to find one that fits your budget.
Check out YOUTUBE on a SANDY SOILESS MIX, there are a few good recipes which you can make.
What is your experience with tropical plants??
https://c8.staticflickr.com/1/605/21403828031_d8f79355ba_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/yBodnM)
Potting supplies (https://flic.kr/p/yBodnM)
by
Hostafarian (https://www.flickr.com/photos/hostafarian/),
on Flickr
saxybill1
07-17-2016, 05:25 AM
I have been using perlite for quite sometime with my tropicals that I have had for a number of years. Bananas is a tropical I have just recently started and find them quite different than my other tropicals, though I like them very much. I will see about the info you haverevised and thank you for the resourses.
Snarkie
07-17-2016, 06:07 AM
You could always try rock salt; it's pretty coarse.
I am joking of course. Do not, under any circumstances, plant anything in rock salt. Except pork.
sputinc7
07-17-2016, 08:04 AM
If you live up north, you could buy those 70 lb bags of sand you put in the back of your truck in winter to add weight and give you some traction in case you do get stuck. Those are filled with coarse sand.
I use Home Depot Quikrete All-Purpose Sand.
Snarkie
07-17-2016, 09:19 AM
Walmart up the street has pumice in the lawn and garden section sold as landscape rock.....just checked. Do you want black or rust color?
Home Depot down the street has it also.... All under 5 bucks a bagBlack is lava. Very heavy. Rust is cinder cone. Somewhat lighter. Pumice is gray and very lightweight. It's commonly known as floating lava. That's what he needs.
Not trying to be a know-it-all, but each color is a different kind of rock.
saxybill1
07-17-2016, 04:54 PM
It appears I need to look for pumice, wish me luck. And thanks for the comic relief.
Snarkie
07-17-2016, 04:59 PM
Go to Southern States and ask for Stall Dri or Dry Stall. Should run you around $20 for 50#. 100% ground pumice.
PR-Giants
07-18-2016, 10:19 AM
wish me luck.
Congratulations on your recent acquisition of a stellar Manini plant.
Good luck!!! :goteam:
This was the most recent photo I had of your Manini plant.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=52533 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=52533)
saxybill1
07-18-2016, 05:25 PM
I have only you to thank as it is a very nice speciman. I hope I can do it and you justice.
My thanks
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