sharp/coarse sand

[kia cat]

We have a few bags left over from some building work. Can I use the sand for gardening "as is" or would it need to be rinsed or washed through?

It'd be mixing it with compost for striking cuttings etc. Daft question I know ;) thx

[webbo3]

you would need to give it a good wash as all the sand we sell where i work is "washed and lime free"


Dave.

[buildersmate]

It is going to depend on where it came from. River and gravel-bed sand is OK; coastal sand has sea-salts in it.
I have used it on lawns and beds and it has been fine.
You could leave in a heap on a rough bit of ground for the rain to wash over it for a month to wash out any salts.

[johnk]

I use building sand all the time and it doesn't seem to do any harm.