Do You Have Sandy Soil? Here’s How to Improve It to Help Your Garden Thrive

If your yard has sandy soil, you may be struggling to achieve the lush, thriving garden of your dreams. Luckily, there are some things you can do to help improve sandy soil and grow a flourishing garden. While this soil type often gets a bad rap, it also has some upsides, and some plants even prefer it. So, getting to know this soil better can help you in all your gardening pursuits.

We spoke with horticulturist and botanical designer Nathan Heinrich to learn what sandy soil is exactly, its pros and cons, and how to improve it.  

What Is Sandy Soil Exactly?

Heinrich explains that sandy beaches and sand dunes look and feel different from other soil types because they are made up almost entirely of minerals, tiny pieces of rock, and fossilized sea creatures. “There’s little to no organic material in desert or beach sand,” he explains. “Organic materials such as decomposing leaves, wood, clay particles, and sand are what make up most soils.”

Soil type is determined by the proportions of each of these components within it, Heinrich adds. “Sandy soils have very little clay and lesser amounts of organic matter than more balanced loamy soils,” he says. Because of the limited organic matter in sandy soil, this soil type is much lower in nutrients compared to other types.

Pros and Cons of Sandy Soil

Heinrich breaks down the pros and cons of sandy soil so you know what to consider when working with it in your garden.

Pros of Sandy Soil

• Drains well: Heinrich informs that it is essential that soils drain properly and do not become waterlogged. Sandy soil provides microscopic pockets of oxygen, which allow water to flow through and roots to grow strong and deep.
• Allows plants to root easily: Soil types that are high in sand tend to make it easy for plants to establish their roots as the roots are not as obstructed as they are in heavier clay soil.  
• Easy to work with: Heinrich says that digging in sandy soil is much easier than in clay soil. It’s also less messy because the larger particles don’t stick together as easily.

Cons of Sandy Soil

• Poor water retention: Heinrich says that one of the less positive aspects of sandy soil is that it can dry out faster than other soil types. This may lead to having to water more frequently. 
• Poor nutrients: Sandy soils also have a harder time holder onto nutrients, which help support plant growth.
• Loose structure: Extremely sandy soils are rather loose in their structure, Heinrich warns, which can allow trees to topple over during severe storms. Be sure you’re planting native species to your area and deep-rooted trees and plants that thrive in sandy soils.

Tips to Improve Sandy Soil 

There are plenty of plants that thrive in sandy soil, but if you want to grow other types of plants and flowers that require different conditions and better water retention, then you will need to amend the soil. Here are the two top ways Heinrich suggests to improve your soil conditions:

Add Organic Materials

“The single most effective way to improve sandy soil is to add organic materials such as compost, yard waste, and humus,” Heinrich says. “Sandy soils are often rich in minerals but poor in microbes and beneficial bacteria.”

By adding organic compost to your sandy soil, he says you will not only be improving its fertility, but you will also be helping it to retain moisture.

Use Clay to Improve Water Retention

While too much clay can be challenging to garden with, the right amount can help improve sandy soil and support your plants. To increase a sandy soil’s ability to retain water, you can add clay in the form of calcium or sodium bentonite. “The tiny clay particles help the soil bond with water particles, keeping the soil more hydrated for longer,” Heinrich says.