Sandy Soil: The Best Plants to Grow In

Sandy soils are common in 12 states throughout the country. The largest areas are situated in Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming, Texas, and New Mexico. This type of soil has its advantages and disadvantages. Many farmers like it because it is easy to work with it. It’s light and warm. The loose texture can be beneficial to plants while they do not struggle when establishing their roots in it.

At the same time, sandy soil has a wide range of disadvantages. The main of them is the lack of soil moisture. Without a good drainage system, it’s almost impossible to cultivate crops. In dry weather, the sand becomes difficult to penetrate. Moreover, it’s unable to hold water and is poor in nutrients. The next problem with this type of soil is that it’s often too acidic.

Despite all the minuses of the sandy variant, it’s still good for growing a wide range of plants. Yet, to get good results, you have to consider the following tips:

• It’s better to apply less water and fewer fertilizers;
• You should add organic matter to boost the ability of the ground to hold onto nutrients;
• The most effective amendments are compost and carbon-rich fertilizers.

Moreover, it’s a good idea to apply weed control fabric. The pesky weeds are to absorb moisture that is intended for crops. The landscape fabric prevents weeding. At the same time, it allows water and air to go through. The plants get the necessary nutrients while weeding is under control. The weed control fabric also solves the problem of erosion which is quite common for sandy texture.

Notwithstanding all the minuses, the sandy surface is still good enough for growing a wide range of plants. The following list includes the most popular variants.

• Lavender

You can’t but fall in love with the fragrant aroma of this fascinating vine. It likes dry and hot conditions. That’s why there is no problem in growing lavender in sandy ground. Yet, you have to provide the plant with adequate drainage and good air circulation. The next important point is regular pruning. It encourages new growth.

• Rosemary

Rosemary doesn’t tolerate being consistently wet. It needs lots of space. If you are going to cultivate rosemary in your veggie garden, its best neighbors are beans, cabbage, and carrots. Rosemary cannot take extremely cold temperatures. The ideal temperature for its growth is about 70 degrees.

• Carrots    

When it comes to edibles, one of the best variants is the carrot. These long-lasting root vegetables can be cultivated in many climates. They take from 2 to 4 months to mature. To get the best results, you should avoid applying nitrogen-rich amendments. The plant needs full sun, yet, it tolerates partial shade, too. As for the watering, the perfect solution is a frequent shallow variant. It’s important to weed diligently without disturbing roots. The weed control fabric is your best helper.

• Tomatoes

If you want to get good yields of tomatoes, you have to water them regularly and add the necessary nutrients. To improve the moisture-holding ability of the soil, you can enrich it with compost. When it comes to the weather conditions, tomatoes like warmth and full sun.

• Salvia

Salvia comes in a variety of shapes, colors, and aromas. The main enemy of the plant is frost. That’s why you should plant it after all danger of frost is gone. To improve the level of nutrients, it’s better to apply a layer of compost. The full-sun location is a must. It’s also necessary to keep weeds under control. You have to water vines at least once a week.

To sum it up, it’s worth underlining that there is a wide range of plants to be grown in sandy soil. Your task is to provide them with necessary maintenance.