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Soil (parts/sand type)
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Posted by ssadams7700 Wisconsin (My Page) on Wed, Jun 30, 10 at 14:59
| I am just about ready to add soil for my bog garden. I am looking for some information on the the type of soil. Specifically how many parts sphagnum, sand, conifer needles. In addition I am confused on the type of sand I can mix in to the substrate. Should I use beach sand, play sand,land scaping sand, silica sand? Are we splitting hairs here? Does the sand have to be void of minerals (quarts/no quarts)? fill me in... no pun intended! Thanks, Scott |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Soil (parts/sand type)
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| If is going to be an acid bog you should use a silica sand like builder's sand. Beach sand or play sand might be OK but some are derived from calcareous material. For example tropical beach sand is made up of the remains or corals and coralline algae and is alkaline. A typical mix for growing acidic bog plants in 1 part sand to 1 part sphagnum peat but it can vary greatly and will not impact the plants much. |
RE: Soil (parts/sand type)
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| Thanks- If I go to a typical Home Depot type store how do I know the correct sand to buy? Is there a specific brand of sand or a type that says Sterile or something. Or maybe just change the ratio to two parts peat one part sand (or less)... |
RE: Soil (parts/sand type)
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| There is a chance that the garden department will have horticultural sand, otherwise you will need to look for the sand they use to make concrete or for paving, aka builders sand. Just don't get it premixed with concrete! Common brands are Sakrete and Quickrete. It's been awhile since I have had to buy any but I think they might call it "all-purpose" sand. I recall there is a warning on the bag about the risk of inhaling silica dust. Be careful about breathing in the dust when it is dry as it can cause a lung condition with prolonged exposure. I prefer to get it wet as it comes out of the bag for this reason, and do it outside. |
RE: Soil (parts/sand type)
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| I have an old fish pond minus the fish and pump,but I have lots of cat tails and water iris and lily pads,I want to t.urn it into a bog garden as I love the plants.I am confused about the soil.right now the plants are in mud do I just get this sand and try to sprinkle it into the mud and around the plants?I want to keep from having alot of mosquitos will the sand help this? I would appreciate any advise or suggestions. thanks |
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